Poging GOUD - Vrij

Social media and map apps blamed for rise in mountain rescue callouts

The Guardian

|

April 16, 2025

"Honeypot" locations posted on social media and poor quality navigation apps are likely responsible for a record number of callouts for mountain rescue services, including a huge rise in young people needing to be saved, analysis of figures has revealed.

- Robyn Vinter

Social media and map apps blamed for rise in mountain rescue callouts

For the first time in history, mountain rescue teams in England and Wales were called out every day of the year in 2024. Callouts in Scotland topped 1,000 for the first time ever.

Rescues of all age groups jumped by 24% between 2019 and 2024, data from Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) that was analysed by Ordnance Survey (OS) and shared with the Guardian showed.

However, among the 18-24 age group, rescues almost doubled, from 166 to 314.

MREW put the increase down to the growth in popularity of "honeypot" locations - beauty spots and photogenic places popular on TikTok and Instagram - as well as younger people relying less on paper maps and more on apps that lack detail or do not work offline, which is needed to navigate safely in remote areas.

MEER VERHALEN VAN The Guardian

The Guardian

The Guardian

'Heroic' rail worker in fight for life after tackling train knife attacker

Single suspect held over stabbings as 11 victims are treated in hospital

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

World Cup wave leaves Saracens riding high in the sun

The stars came out to dazzle a record Saracens crowd in a 47-10 derby win for the home side against Harlequins

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Goal machine Haaland's latest double fires City up to second

But Guardiola still criticises refereeing standards at Etihad by saying: They're brave here’

time to read

1 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Southampton sack Still as club slide into the danger zone

Southampton have sacked Will Still after the club dropped closer to the Championship relegation zone.

time to read

1 min

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

UK workforce risks loss of extra 600,000 people to poor health - study

An extra 600,000 people will leave the workforce in the next decade because of long-term health conditions unless there is \"a fundamental shift\" in how employers help maintain staff well-being, a report says.

time to read

1 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Nuno hails fans as Hammers hit back in rare win

Nuno Espírito Santo said that his West Ham team had given their fans “something small” to cling on to with a first victory of his tenure and that he hoped a performance of grit, ability and, perhaps most importantly, belief would give them momentum in their fight against relegation.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Cycles of power The young bike fans reclaiming the streets of Johannesburg

On a hot Saturday spring morning, Karabo Mashele urged a group of female cyclists up the hills of a plush Johannesburg suburb.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Shafali and Deepti the home heroes as India make history

Wolvaardt hits another hundred but South Africa pay for dropped catches in final

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

The Guardian

Reeves is warned not to cut VAT on electricity bills

Proposals being considered by Rachel Reeves to cut tax on electricity bills will backfire, experts have warned, resulting in a giveaway to richer homeowners and undermining the UK's climate commitments.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Guardian

Wolves eye O'Neil and Edwards after Pereira exits

Wolves could turn to their former head coach Gary O'Neil after sacking Vítor Pereira, with Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards another leading candidate.

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size