Camino de Santiago Irish tourists rescued after exhaustion, hypothermia

Spanish authorities tended to the group of 20 Irish people that included four blind people

Twenty Irish people required assistance after showing signs of exhaustion and hypothermia while walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain.

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The Irish Mirror reports that local sources said Spanish authorities were contacted on Sunday evening regarding a group of 20 Irish people - including four blind people - who were showing signs of exhaustion and hypothermia.

The Irish Sun reports that the group was in the northern region of Navarra en route to the city of Santiago de Compostela.

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Firefighters were dispatched in two vehicles to the tourists’ location amid adverse weather conditions. While authorities evacuated those who were in most distress, the remainder of the group was guided to a hostel in Roncesvalles.

None of the group required hospitalization.

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The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrimage walks in northwestern Spain that culminate at the shrine of Saint James the Great at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. The pilgrimage, which can often serve as a type of spiritual retreat, has become increasingly popular with Irish people over the last few years.