TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two hikers in their 20s died after falling into a valley while climbing Yushan’s main peak on Saturday, according to the Nantou County Fire Department.

Authorities received a report around 10 a.m. that a man and a woman had fallen from a hiking trail into a deep valley, CT Want reported. A nine-person search and rescue team, with helicopter support, was quickly mobilized.

The pair were located around 5 p.m. in a valley 380 meters deep, partially buried in snow and appearing unconscious.

However, steep mountain terrain and unstable wind conditions forced rescuers to delay the operation until daybreak Sunday. Melting snow further complicated efforts, and it took more than three hours for rescuers to reach the hikers around 11 a.m., at which point both were confirmed to have no vital signs.

Again, due to the difficult terrain and wind, the victims could not be airlifted by helicopter. The bodies will be moved to a more accessible location before a helicopter extraction can be attempted. The recovery operation remains ongoing.