According to a recent report by Red Star News, 26-year-old Lu Wen, a graduate student of Fudan University, went to Nepal's Everest base camp for a mountaineering trip (EBC route) in February 2024 and purchased the "Meiya Le Youyou Asia Travel Insurance (Asia Upgrade Plan)". A day later, Ruben's altitude sickness intensified, and he asked his traveler to contact the insurance company and his father, but the insurance area purchased by Levin did not include Nepal, so he could not get emergency assistance from the insurance company. Ruben died while waiting for rescue.
Lu Huaimin, Lu Huaimin, Lu Wen's father, mainly focused on the insurance company's failure to provide corresponding rescue. However, the "Coverage Area" column in the policy clearly states: Asia (except Nepal). The reporter's investigation found that on the homepage about the introduction of the insurance product and related insurance terms, there was indeed no reminder about "Nepal is not included in the coverage area". The customer service responded, "At present, the product introduction cannot be fully displayed, and if Nepal is not listed on the policy coverage area after purchase, you can view the policy after purchase, and the policy will be listed." ”
Multiple controversies surrounding the matter
In this case, which of the two parties (Leven and the insurance company) is right and wrong? Let's clarify a few of the points of contention one by one.
Judging from Lu Huaimin's introduction, Lu Wen is an outdoor enthusiast with some mountaineering experience (he has already had two experiences in Nepal trekking). However, Levin failed to read the terms and conditions of the insurance carefully when purchasing the travel insurance, and the insurance company refused to provide free helicopter rescue because the travel insurance insurance did not cover emergency relief in Nepal.
Ruben traveled alone, without a team leader, companion or hired porter, and lacked the necessary professional guidance and safety guarantees, and the high-altitude and difficult hiking routes in this "three-no" state undoubtedly increased the possibility of danger.
I specifically inquired about the mountaineering trip (EBC route) of Everest Base Camp in Nepal that Ruben went to this time. According to reports, the elevation range of the route starts from about 2,860 meters in Lukla, the starting point, and gradually rises to about 5,364 meters at Everest Base Camp. Throughout the EBC route, hikers pass through a number of challenging high-altitude areas, including several alpine passes, some of which are over 5,000 meters above sea level. It is one of the popular places to see Mount Everest. Hikers experience significant elevation changes throughout the EBC route and need to acclimatize to the high altitude environment to avoid health issues such as altitude sickness.
Third, when the passing traveler rescued him and sent him to the hotel, after a day of rest in the hotel, his condition continued to deteriorate, and there was no signal on the mountain at that time, and the traveler had to go down the mountain to find a signal for help, which led to the further delay of the precious rescue opportunity.
Fourth, the most controversial issue in this incident is the performance of the insurance company, which clearly states that "Nepal is not included in the coverage area", and naturally does not include the expensive helicopter rescue requested. As a netizen who claims to have many years of experience in mountaineering services on Mount Everest said, judging from the product introduction of Meiya Le You Travel Asia Travel Insurance (Asia Upgrade Plan), the price of this insurance is only 356 yuan, the insurance period is 20 days, and the average daily price is less than 20 yuan.
In this regard, the netizen also reminded that this kind of travel insurance contract has various forms, and it is important to read the relevant terms of service carefully when purchasing, for example, some insurance includes helicopter rescue, but the amount is very low, and a helicopter near Mount Everest starts at a few thousand dollars, far exceeding the insurance amount. There are also insurance clauses that limit the altitude of the mountain, such as no more than 5,500 meters, or no more than 6,000 meters. Hikers should tailor their choice to the upper limit of the Everest trail.
There are also some insurance policies that require that the insured cannot travel alone or in a company with other travelers, but must choose a qualified and professional service such as a tour guide.
The netizen also reminded that in addition to carefully reading the insurance terms, travelers also need to master a common sense: the insurance cost related to EBC trekking is cheaper than $150, and if it is climbing Mount Everest, some insurance costs are more than $5,000.
"Poetry and Distance" is not about going if you want to
The Luwen Everest death incident is a warning to young people today. Over the years, many young people have risen up a craze to "poetry and distance", either alone or in groups, they are not satisfied with the city and popular attractions, but are more enthusiastic about hiking, mountaineering and even cave exploration, etc., which are "more challenging and exciting".
However, beyond the good imagination, many young people ignore the risks of such activities, and unfortunate incidents often occur. It is not the first time that Fudan University students have been the protagonists of such incidents.
According to a 2010 report by the Morning Post, a group of 18 college students from Fudan University arrived at the Huangshan Scenic Area at 3 o'clock on the 11th of that year, but lost their way in the mountains on the afternoon of the 12th, so they had to call the police for help. At about 22 o'clock on the 12th, 23 officers and soldiers of the Huangshan Detachment of the Armed Police rushed to the scene of the incident, and after 11 hours of search and rescue, they successfully rescued 18 college students at 9:30 on the 13th. In the rescue, Zhang Ninghai, a 23-year-old policeman, unfortunately died.
In response to this incident, a number of senior "travelers" said that the event organizers lacked basic outdoor travel experience, and made many mistakes during the event, including not hiring a professional guide, relying only on GPS and compass to find the way, and even basic raincoats and warm blankets were not equipped.
According to a report by Jiupai News on April 16, 2024, 25 students formed 3 groups through offline channels and went to Zhangjiajie Canyon in Hunan Province. But this incident has once again sparked a controversy in society about "public resources pay for a few".
The successive incidents of youth travel distress remind us that when enjoying the excitement and joy of outdoor adventures, we must put self-protection and risk prevention first. This means that when planning each trip, participants should fully understand the nature of the activity, the skills required and safety precautions, and make detailed plans and preparations in advance, including but not limited to choosing the right equipment, purchasing the right insurance, following an experienced guide, and learning the necessary knowledge of self-help and mutual rescue.
At the same time, young people should develop a sense of responsibility while letting go of themselves, recognizing that the consequences of their actions may affect their families, others and society. Just like in the Huangshan incident, due to the lack of preparation and judgment of the college students involved, not only did they fall into a predicament, but also caused the young policeman Zhang Ninghai to pay a terrible price for his life for the rescue. Outdoor adventures should not be an act of transferring risks and passing on costs, but should be an act of reverence for nature, the value of life and respect for others.
The charm of outdoor adventure is the challenge and the unknown, but only if you are safe and sensible. Only when every participant remembers the importance of risk prevention and continuously improves their safety awareness and skill level can every adventure become a celebration of life force, rather than frivolous, indulgent and irresponsible. Taking this as a lesson, may there be no similar regrets and tragedies on the road of outdoor adventure in the future.
• (This article is the author's personal opinion and does not represent the position of this newspaper)
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Editor-in-charge: Chen Bin