On April 19, 2025, a tragic accident occurred at Mt. Mitake in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, when a 15-year-old high school girl slipped while descending the mountain during a club activity. The student, a member of the mountaineering club at Saitama Prefectural Fukaya Daiichi High School, was reported to have fallen approximately 100 meters down a steep slope.
The incident took place around 1:05 PM, shortly after the group of 23—including 20 students and 3 supervising teachers—began their descent from the summit. According to a male teacher in his 30s, who serves as the club's advisor, he called emergency services to report that a student had misstepped and slipped down the slope.
Emergency responders, including the prefectural police's mountain rescue team and firefighters, were dispatched to the scene. They found the girl lying on the ground, unconscious and with a severe head injury, approximately 320 meters from the summit. She was quickly transported to the hospital via a disaster prevention helicopter.
At the time of the accident, the girl was participating in her first mountain climbing activity as a member of the club, which began their climb around 9 AM that day. The group had successfully reached the summit before starting their descent. Unfortunately, during this descent, the girl lost her footing on the trail, leading to the tragic fall.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Chichibu Police Station has reported that, while the girl is in serious condition and remains unconscious, no other students were injured during the outing.
This incident raises concerns about the safety measures in place for school outdoor activities. As the popularity of mountaineering and outdoor sports grows among students, ensuring their safety during such excursions has become increasingly important. The school and local authorities are expected to review their protocols and procedures to prevent future accidents.
As investigations continue, the community has come together to offer support for the affected family and classmates. The school has expressed its deep concern for the student and is providing counseling services for those impacted by the incident.
The events of April 19 serve as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with outdoor activities, particularly for young and inexperienced climbers. While these activities can foster teamwork, resilience, and a love for nature, they also require careful planning, supervision, and respect for the potential dangers posed by natural environments.
Local residents and outdoor enthusiasts have also voiced their opinions on the need for increased safety awareness and training for school groups participating in such activities. Some have suggested that schools should implement more rigorous training programs for both students and teachers before embarking on climbing excursions.
As the school community reflects on this incident, the focus remains on the well-being of the injured student and her family. The hope is that she will recover from her injuries and that this incident will lead to improved safety measures for all students engaging in outdoor activities.
