Emergency services have launched a major rescue operation on Gullfjellet mountain near Bergen after two hikers became stranded due to severe weather conditions. A woman in her 50s and a teenage boy are currently weather-bound on the mountain, unable to descend because of heavy fog, strong winds, and a snow-covered trail.
Police operations leader Thomas Kirkebø Eriksen confirmed the hikers are at a known location and are well-equipped with adequate clothing, food, and water. Neither person has reported injuries, but the challenging conditions have made self-evacuation impossible. Multiple rescue organizations including volunteer teams from the Red Cross, Norwegian Rescue Dogs, and Norwegian People's Aid are en route to assist with the operation.
Mountain rescue operations are relatively common in Norway's challenging terrain, particularly during transitional seasons when weather conditions can change rapidly. Norway's volunteer rescue organizations play a crucial role in mountain safety, working alongside professional emergency services. The country's right to roam tradition, known as allemannsretten, encourages outdoor access but requires proper preparation for changing mountain conditions.
This incident highlights the importance of checking weather forecasts and being prepared for sudden changes when hiking in Norwegian mountains. Even experienced hikers can find themselves in dangerous situations when visibility drops and trails become obscured by snow. The rescue operation demonstrates Norway's comprehensive emergency response system for mountain incidents.
In other emergency responses across the region, police dealt with multiple incidents overnight including several arrests for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Four individuals were placed in drunk tanks following confrontations with security staff and police in central Bergen. Separate incidents involved a man threatening teenagers at Gyldenpris and another individual throwing rocks at parked vehicles in Skuteviken, causing property damage.
Emergency services also responded to a residential fire in Stord, where firefighters contained a blaze in an older single-family home. No injuries were reported, though officials anticipate substantial property damage. In a separate water safety incident, residents in southern Askøy have been advised to boil drinking water after construction work at the new Skarholmen treatment plant potentially compromised water quality. Approximately 6,000 residents received text alerts about the precautionary measure, which will remain in effect until water samples confirm safety.
The concentration of emergency incidents across western Norway highlights the diverse challenges facing regional emergency services, from mountain rescues to urban disturbances and infrastructure issues. Norwegian emergency response systems coordinate multiple agencies to address these varied situations simultaneously, demonstrating the country's comprehensive approach to public safety across both urban and wilderness environments.