International Mountain Day, which is marked on 28 August, is marked by particular attention from the public. This date was chosen in memory of the expert gathering on 28 August 1948 in Austria. The initiative for introducing this day came from the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) in 2022, with the aim of drawing attention to the importance of safety in nature.
In Croatia, this duty is taken up by the Croatian Mountain Rescue, which has almost 1,300 members. This organisation is distributed across 25 stations and 40 branches, which allows for a swift and effective response in various conditions. Annually, rescuers carry out more than 1,100 operations, which testifies to the large number of interventions in mountain hiking.
The majority of operations, some 600, relate to classic rescue operations in the mountains. In addition, some 280 operations relate to searches for missing and missing persons. These operations cover a wide range of situations, from simple searches to complex rescue operations in difficult conditions.
The Croatian Mountain Rescue carries out its duties in various natural conditions, including forests, hills, mountains, rivers, and lakes, as well as in national parks and nature parks. This diversity requires a high level of expertise and readiness, which is key to the successful execution of these operations.
In addition, rescuers often intervene in major accidents and disasters, such as earthquakes and floods. These interventions require additional preparation and coordination, in order to ensure maximum efficiency and safety for all involved.
