Chinese Consulate-General in Melbourne issues hiking safety warning for Chinese tourists

MELBOURNE -- The Chinese Consulate-General in Melbourne has issued a safety warning, reminding Chinese citizens to exercise safety precautions while hiking or engaging in other high-risk tourism activities in Australia.

The Chinese Consulate-General on Monday confirmed with Xinhua that the two women found dead on Friday in the Victoria Alpine area were Chinese.

Victoria Police said on Saturday that two female foreigners were found dead on Mount Bogong, the highest mountain in the state of Victoria, about 240 km northeast of Melbourne. They likely succumbed to severe hypothermia amid severe blizzard conditions.

A third Chinese woman died late in September when her group, the other three members of which were rescued, became overwhelmed by extreme weather while hiking in the island state of Tasmania.

Police said at the time that the group was not prepared for the conditions.

The Consulate-General in Melbourne advised visitors to the area to wear warm and weatherproof clothing while hiking to prevent the risk of hypothermia and carry personal locator beacons.

"If the weather is bad or the route is too difficult, you should retreat decisively or change your plans to avoid risking your way forward," it said.

It said that anyone engaging in other high-risk tourism activities, including surfing, paragliding and going out to sea, should evaluate their physical strength and any safety risks.