Mobile Tracking Service Launched For Hikers

The government has launched a mobile tracking service for hikers in case they run into trouble and need rescue.

Hikers who register their mobile phone numbers to the government app will have their location tracked for 24 hours through GPS, to enable rescuers to get to them as quickly as possible in case of emergency.

The service was rolled out last month, and the Fire Services Department is urging hikers to consider using it.

The department says the number of hiking-related rescues more than doubled from 150 in 2010 to 340 last year, while the number of deaths also rose from three to 15 over the same time span.

Assistant Fire Services Director Andy Yeung also urged people to avoid dangerous practices such as posing for photos in hazardous areas to attract attention on social media.