Another country considers charging hikers for mountain rescues

• France's finance auditor, the Cour des Comptes, has proposed that hikers whose "risky behaviour" leads to rescue on French mountains could be charged for emergency services.
• The proposal aims to address the rising costs of mountain rescue, which have increased by 55 per cent since 2012, with helicopter rescues costing an estimated €10,780 (£9,444) each.
• Under the new recommendations, French citizens failing to observe safety rules and foreign nationals, who made up 17 per cent of rescues in 2024, would be required to reimburse emergency services.
• The Cour des Comptes highlighted that several countries, including Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, already bill foreign nationals for rescue operations.
• Mountain rescuers, represented by Yannick Vallençant, oppose the plan, arguing it unfairly targets mountain sports enthusiasts and that the current state-funded system costs each French citizen only €1.50 (£1.30) annually.

IN FULL

France threatens hikers with paying for their own mountain rescue