The stranded tourists, both Russian, brought to safety at around 1am on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Khánh Hòa Provincial Police

KHÁNH HÒA — Two Russian tourists stranded on Cô Tiên Mountain in Khánh Hòa Province's Bắc Nha Trang Ward have been brought to safety by a provincial police rescue team after several hours of overnight searching.

The owner of a rental apartment where the Russian nationals have been staying notified police late Wednesday that they had set out on a hike to the mountain earlier that day.

According to the apartment owner, the pair had left in the afternoon, but became disoriented and increasingly exhausted, and told the owner they needed urgent help to get down safely.

After receiving the report, six rescue officers were deployed with local police and authorities to conduct search and rescue operations.

The two tourists were found and brought to safety at around 1am the following day.

Cô Tiên Mountain, nearly 400m high with three adjoining peaks, has in the past few years become a popular spot for locals and tourists to go hiking and camping.

From the mountaintop, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the coastal tourist destination of Nha Trang.

However, the mountain's hiking trails are steep and rocky, and can become slippery at night due to dew or in the rain. There have been previous cases of tourists getting lost while exploring the mountain.

Local fire prevention and rescue authorities have advised residents and visitors not to hike without guides or proper equipment, and to research the terrain and check weather forecasts to avoid accidents before climbing. — VNS