In Romania’s mountain depths, once again, Ukrainian citizens have been saved: four Ukrainians found and returned home in the Maramureș region

The night of Sunday became the scene of one of the most intense and complex search and rescue operations in the Romanian mountain ranges, when rescuers managed to locate and evacuate four Ukrainian tourists from high altitudes. The incident served as a reminder of the dangers associated with crossing mountain trails and, at the same time, demonstrated the promptness and coordination of the rescue services and border security. According to official information released by representatives of the Romanian Mountain Rescue Service SPJ Salvamont Maramureș, the operation lasted nearly the entire night and began the day before, when four Ukrainian citizens crossed the border through the difficult Maramureș mountain area but later exhibited signs of a dangerous condition. When they sought help, a strong search and rescue team was dispatched to the scene, which, despite challenging conditions, was able to locate the victims and provide them with necessary aid. On the morning of April 28, rescuers announced the successful completion of the operation. They found three of the four Ukrainians: a young man aged 21, a 26-year-old, and a 40-year-old—all in a physically exhausted state. One of them was suffering from a high fever, likely due to dehydration and hypothermia, while another was diagnosed on-site with a deep cut on the right hand, which was already showing signs of infection and inflammation. After medical examinations and initial treatment, some of them were transported to the nearest mountain medical station for further care. The remaining individuals were handed over to relevant authorities for further procedures. Later, once the situation stabilized, one Ukrainian was evacuated from the mountain to a primary healthcare point. The other two were handed over to competent agencies for legal and official procedures related to crossing outside the country or document processing. Simultaneously, during preparations for evacuation, another search was conducted, resulting in the discovery of a 34-year-old Ukrainian without immediate medical issues. He was provided with tea and food, examined, and after necessary procedures, was also evacuated from the mountains. According to a representative of the Romanian rescue service, this man received entirely humanitarian assistance from the rescuers and was transferred to local authorities for further legal resolution. It should be noted that such operations are supported by the border services of the Valea-Viseu and Poienile-de-Sub-Munte sectors, who actively collaborate with Romanian rescuers and assist in search efforts, especially in heavily difficult and remote areas. This is not the first case of Ukrainian citizens ending up in challenging situations in the Maramureș Mountains. For instance, on April 20, 2024, Romanian rescuers had to respond to a distress signal from a 40-year-old Ukrainian in the Maramureș massif. In previous years, there have been cases of saving three Ukrainians who encountered mountain perils due to adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain. A particularly memorable story is of a 28-year-old Ukrainian who was rescued from a mountain canyon to avoid mobilization, having taken a small kitten with him—this incident became a symbol of boundless humanity and swift response by Romanian rescuers. Thus, in recent months at least, Romania's mountain rescue services have demonstrated a high level of professionalism and the ability to act promptly, ensuring the safety of tourists and citizens in hard-to-reach areas. At the same time, these incidents remind travelers of the importance of extreme caution, proper route planning, and adhering to safety advice in mountain environments. Overall, the stories of saving Ukrainians in Romanian mountains confirm that, thanks to coordinated rescue efforts, joint border security actions, and the will of people to escape dangerous situations, lives can be saved, and individuals can return home safe and sound. Supporting international cooperation in mountain safety remains crucial, as the lives of tourists depend on quick response times and the professionalism of rescue teams.