Midway up the mountain.
Some rescue workers had recovered from their discomfort and continued expanding the search outward.
The Temporary Rescue Headquarters, led by Dong Xuebin and Zhang Dongfang, set up camp halfway up the mountain and hastily erected a rain shelter.
"Secretary Dong, County Chief Zhang." A firefighter entered the shelter.
"Any news from the various search teams?" Dong Xuebin looked at him.
"Team One hasn't found the missing teachers and students. Team Two has reached the summit and found nothing either. They only found some fruit peels and snack wrappers. Since there weren't many, we can't be sure they were left by the students. They could have been discarded by other tourists yesterday or this morning," the firefighter said. "In other words, we can't confirm that the students ever reached the summit, so there's no way to narrow the search area."
Obviously, it was bad news.
It had been nearly four hours since contact had been lost with the teachers and students who entered the mountain. It was already afternoon, and if this continued, it would really drag into the night.
Zhang Dongfang was at a complete loss.
The other officials were also grim.
"Continue searching," Dong Xuebin ordered. "Pay attention to every sound and movement."
"Understood." The firefighter answered and turned to leave.
Dong Xuebin was the only one who remained somewhat calm. It was not because he believed the rescue workers would definitely find the teachers and students, but because he believed they should have heard his shout. If they were truly lost on the mountain, then his voice could help them find their direction and a way out. Even if there were obstacles in the way, the direction would at least be correct, greatly increasing the chances of rescue. What he feared now was that