TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two people died while hiking Mount Kelekelean in Nantou County on Saturday, with an autopsy revealing hypothermia-induced cardiopulmonary failure as the cause of death.

The victims were seasoned hikers: a 70-year-old man surnamed Chen (陳) and a 63-year-old woman surnamed Chan (詹). A third member of the party, Chen’s 8-year-old grandson, survived and alerted police using a cellphone early Saturday morning, per CNA.

The group was traversing the ‘South Third’ trail in the Central Mountain Range, a 10-day trek known as one of Taiwan’s most difficult. Despite their experience — both had completed the ‘100 peaks’ multiple times — Typhoon Podul presented an unexpected hazard.

The hikers entered the mountains via the Ruisui Forest Trail in Hualien on Aug. 8. Four days later, while on Mount Kelekelean, strong winds from Podul damaged their tent, which began leaking and exposed them to severe cold.

The boy later found his companions unconscious and unable to be revived. He used his grandfather’s phone to call 112 for help.

Police dispatched a helicopter and search team on Saturday afternoon to evacuate the group. While the boy survived, the two adults were pronounced dead despite emergency treatment.

The autopsy confirmed death from high-altitude hypothermia, with no external injuries. Family members said Chen and Chan had known each other for seven or eight years and often hiked together since both lived in Taoyuan.

Chan’s relatives noted she had 27 years of mountaineering experience and had served as a mountain rescue volunteer. They said she usually hiked in groups of four or more. Her family added that the hikers had closely tracked the typhoon’s path and believed it would pass south, mistakenly assuming their route would not be affected.

Chen’s family declined to comment in detail, saying only that the grandson remains shaken and has not fully described the ordeal. They asked the media to respect the boy’s privacy and allow time for recovery.