Mount Fuji claims life of Swiss trekker, rescue teams save injured nonagenarian woman

A Swiss hiker's life was tragically cut short after he lost consciousness while ascending Mount Fuji, bringing the total number of fatalities this climbing season to two, according to authorities who announced the news on Friday.

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Meanwhile, a 99-year-old woman was fortunate to have been rescued by authorities after she suffered injuries on the mountain and spent the night in a hut, where she received shelter and aid before being saved.

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Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, has transformed from a serene pilgrimage site to a popular hiking destination, attracting many climbers who often underestimate the demands of the five-to-10 hour trek up and down the mountain.

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In response to the surge in tourism, crowding, and a series of safety incidents involving ill-prepared climbers, including foreign tourists, Japan has implemented stricter access rules on the 3,776-metre volcano.

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A 58-year-old Swiss man, who had fallen unconscious during the hike, was resuscitated and rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival, according to police who spoke to AFP.

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The deceased was identified as Bernhard Sutter, the managing director of the Swiss assisted dying company EXIT, who died after suffering a medical emergency while on a family vacation in Japan, as stated in a company statement.

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This incident marks the second fatality since the start of the Fuji hiking season on July 1, following the death of a 65-year-old Japanese man on July 17, who reportedly succumbed to injuries after falling and hitting his head.

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On the same day, 99-year-old Tome Sagawa was rescued while attempting to scale the mountain, after she had injured herself the previous day and spent the night in a mountain hut, according to police.

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Authorities are cautioning hikers to exercise prudence and descend the mountain if they feel concerned about the weather or their physical condition, and to plan their hikes according to their capabilities, taking into account their experience and fitness level, as advised by a police spokesman.

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In a similar incident, a 54-year-old Japanese man had to be rescued twice in as many days while attempting to climb the mountain, as reported.

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A Chinese man who climbed the mountain outside the official season in 2025 had a similar experience, having to be rescued after returning to search for his phone and other belongings.

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In an effort to manage the crowds, Yamanashi Prefecture introduced a daily cap of 4,000 climbers on the popular Yoshida Trail in 2024, along with a 2,000-yen climbing fee, which was later doubled in 2025.

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The neighbouring Shizuoka region also implemented a charge of 4,000 yen for its three trails, resulting in a decrease in the number of climbers, with just over 200,000 people ascending the mountain last year, down from over 220,000 in 2023.

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The number of fatalities on the mountain has also fluctuated, with nine deaths recorded in the 2024 season, but none in 2025.