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Climber Rescued by Helicopter After Fall on Puig Campana in Alicante Region

 

Finestrat / 19 April 2026

 

A climber has been airlifted to safety following a serious fall on the well-known Julia climbing route on Puig Campana in the Spanish region of Alicante.

 

Emergency services were called at approximately 1:37pm on 18 April 2026 after reports that a climber had fallen during an ascent and sustained injuries.

 

Incident on the Julia Route

According to emergency responders, a group of three climbers was ascending the route when one climber fell on the third pitch of the climb.

 

The injured climber suffered significant injuries to both ankles after impact, leaving them unable to continue the ascent or descend independently.

 

Their climbing partners acted quickly, lowering them to a secure belay station while awaiting rescue teams.

 

Major Helicopter Rescue Operation

The rescue operation was led by the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium, deploying:

• The Alpha 01 emergency helicopter
• The Special Rescue Group (GER)

 

Rescue teams faced a technically complex operation due to:

• Steep vertical terrain
• Trees obstructing the cliff face
• Multiple climbers still on the route at the time
• The need for precise winch operations in confined space

 

Despite challenging conditions, rescuers successfully airlifted the injured climber from the rock face.

 

The operation was completed at approximately 2:58pm.

 

Evacuation and Medical Care

Following the rescue, the climber was transported by helicopter to the Finestrat landing zone, where medical services were waiting to assess and treat the injuries.

 

Further updates on the condition of the climber have not yet been released.

 

Safety Reminder

Authorities have reiterated the importance of safety precautions when climbing in high-traffic mountain areas such as Puig Campana, which is popular with both local and international climbers.

 

They emphasised the need for:

• Proper route assessment
• Adequate safety equipment
• Awareness of weather and terrain conditions
• Emergency preparedness before attempting technical climbs