Helicopters were used to rescue more than 100 students and teachers from Germany after getting into trouble in the Austrian Alps.

The 99 students, aged 12 to 14 and eight teachers from the Ludwigshafen area were on a route in the scenic valley of Kleinwalsertal on Tuesday that was too difficult for their equipment and abilities.

The police in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg announced late Tuesday.

The teachers had chosen the route based on misleading information from the internet.

On the net, the route had been described as a “classic after-work round,” the police explained. “In fact, the narrow Heuberggrat is a partly exposed path with climbing passages that require a head for heights, surefootedness and experience in Alpine terrain.’’

In addition, the ground was wet and slippery.

When part of the group decided to turn back, two students slipped and sustained minor injuries.

As some students panicked, the teachers made an emergency call.

Andi Haid, the mayor of the nearby town of Mittelberg, said all 107 people were taken by two helicopters to a nearby forest trail.

In addition to the students slightly injured, several others were exhausted, hypothermic, drenched and completely distraught, the police said.

(dpa/NAN)