TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Two hikers died from hypothermia in Shei-Pa National Park (雪霸國家公園) on Sunday (Dec. 28) as Taiwan's mountain regions experienced a surge in cold-weather emergencies following heavy snowfall. Eleven climbers were trapped across two separate incidents in the national park, prompting authorities to issue urgent warnings against unprepared "snow-chasing" expeditions. The deaths occurred as crowds flocked to mountains after snow blanketed Hehuanshan (合歡山), Wuling (武嶺), and Yushan (玉山) on Wednesday and Thursday (Dec. 25 and 26).
A man in his 40s, surnamed Tien (田), collapsed overnight on the Boke'er Plateau (博可爾草原) after prolonged exposure to freezing conditions during a five-member expedition. Another hiker, also in his 40s and surnamed Lin (林), died from hypothermia on Pipida Mountain (匹匹達山). Park officials said the surge in incidents reflects a growing trend of visitors heading into alpine terrain to "chase snow," often lacking proper experience and equipment.
Emergency physicians reported a spike in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases nationwide as temperatures plunged. The Health Promotion Administration (國民健康署) cautioned that sudden temperature drops cause blood vessels to constrict, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. A one-degree Celsius (1.8°F) decrease raises myocardial infarction risk by 1.5 percent within two weeks and by 2 percent within a month, officials warned.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare's (衛福部) statistics reveal that heart disease and cerebrovascular disease ranked as the second and fourth leading causes of death in Taiwan, claiming approximately 36,000 lives annually. Doctors warned that cold exposure, especially at high altitudes, puts extreme stress on the cardiovascular system, heightening risks for people with underlying conditions. The dangers were even more pronounced in the mountains, where many visitors lacked proper experience and equipment.
The park headquarters urged visitors to follow regulations governing trails, ecological protection zones, and historic preservation areas. Authorities, working with the Seventh Special Police Corps' Ninth Division, said patrols and enforcement have been stepped up across Taiwan's alpine regions. Officials warned that winter mountains are high-risk environments, not tourist attractions, and that without experience, preparation, and respect for rules, the pursuit of snow can quickly turn deadly.
However, weather forecasters warned that the risk is not over yet. Forecasts indicated that another cold front will affect Taiwan starting Wednesday (Dec. 31), with temperatures expected to remain low in mountainous areas. Officials stated that continued cold conditions mean snow-chasing activity, and the dangers associated with it, could persist into the New Year.◼