A tourist plunged to her death in a horror climbing accident in Romania after her safety rope gave way.
Antonia Mihăilescu was killed instantly when she and three fellow climbers tumbled around 40 feet down a rock face in the Bucegi Mountains.
Antonia Mihăilescu died instantly when she tumbled around 40 feet down a rock face Credit: Jam Press
Antonia was an experienced climber who had conquered the Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro Credit: Jam Press
Antonia was an experienced climber who had conquered the Uhuru Peak on Kilimanjaro, reached Everest Base Camp, and tackled tough routes in Peru.
The 36-year-old was roped with three men, aged between 26 and 51, plus a qualified instructor on a descent of the Albișoara Brânei route on July 11.
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At around 3pm, the group was navigating an exposed section when the anchor point they were all clipped into suddenly collapsed.
Antonia, positioned last, slipped first and triggered a chain reaction that sent all four crashing onto the rocks below.
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Salvamont Prahova rescuers during the operation Credit: Jam Press/Salvamont Prahova
Salvamont Prahova rescuers during the operation Credit: Jam Press/Salvamont Prahova
She suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The three men were badly hurt but survived.
Rescuers launched one of the largest mountain operations in recent Romanian history.
Four helicopters – including a Black Hawk from Bucharest and a SMURD aircraft – were scrambled alongside ground teams.
Four helicopters including a Black Hawk were deployed Credit: Jam Press/Salvamont Prahova
Rescue teams scrambled to the scene of the climbers fall Credit: Jam Press/Salvamont Prahova
The difficult terrain and weather made the recovery extremely challenging with Antonia extracted last from the rocks, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Prahova County official Dan Nicodim confirmed the group was accompanied by an instructor at the time.
Prosecutors have now opened a criminal investigation.
Key lines of inquiry include possible errors in how the climbers set their protection points or a material failure of the equipment.
Alpine experts stress that even experienced climbers must use multiple redundant anchors.
“The rule of thumb is two or even three points of protection so if one fails, others hold,” said a spokesman from the Romanian Alpine Club.
Antonia balanced a demanding dental career with her passion for the mountains.
Colleagues at her Bucharest clinic said: “There are people who leave deep traces… we will never forget you.”
Antonia’s heartbroken mother paid tribute to her ‘passionate’ daughter full of ‘joy’ Credit: Jam Press
Her final post read: ‘The mountains call me and I will return.’ Credit: Jam Press
Antonia’s heartbroken mother told reporters: “The anchor on that rope gave way and all four fell. Toni – my Antonia – died.
“She was passionate, it was the joy of her life to go up and down.
“She had been to Kilimanjaro, the Rainbow Mountains in Peru… and it happened here at home.”
Friends remember her final posts, one reading: “The mountains call me and I will return.”
The Bucegi Mountains, around two hours north of Bucharest, are a magnet for hikers and climbers from across Europe but claim dozens of lives every year.
Around 100 people die annually on Romania’s peaks.
