Police warning as 'exhausted hikers' airlifted to safety from Jebel Janas in Ras Al Khaimah

A helicopter found the Emiratis at an altitude of 1,200 metres

Rescuers urged hikers to be cautious as temperatures rise to 40C-plus daily. Courtesy: RAK Police

Police have warned the public against embarking on mountain hikes after three 'exhausted' walkers were rescued from a mountain at the weekend.

RAK Police airlifted three hikers who were suffering from heat exhaustion on Jebel Janas on Friday.

An Air Wing team found the trio in the Saliyah Al Baqal area at an altitude of 1,200 metres.

The Emiratis left at sunrise on Friday morning and called for help in the late afternoon. RAK Air Wings dispatched a helicopter and rescued the men within 15 minutes. Even by late afternoon temperatures were still in the high thirties., a weather forecast showed.

Col Saeed Al Yammahi, head of the air division and the pilot who flew the mission, appealed to the public to avoid mountain areas during summer when temperatures can approach 50°C in the middle of the day.

Major Khaled Al Naqbi of RAK Police said two of the men were older than 60, though the mountains can be dangerous for anyone this time of year, including young people.

“During this time of such high temperatures, we wish that people will not go to the mountains at all and if they do go, they communicate their plans to the authorities [before setting out],” said Maj Al Naqbi.

Tour operators have repeatedly warned the public to avoid hiking in the mountains during summer.

Earlier this month, two hikers were rescued from Jebel Jais after losing their way as night fell. The pair, only described as Europeans and brother and sister, were found hours later in total darkness.

Earlier this week, authorities cautioned the public to avoid wadis in case of rain after four people, including two children, drowned in flash floods in Fujairah and Sharjah.