On Saturday, a big avalanche hit a group of climbers in the Ortler Alps of South Tyrol, Italy. The incident occurred around 4 pm near 3,545m Vertainspitze (Cima Vertana), just across the border from Austria.
Seven German tourists were caught while heading up the mountain on a ski tour. Two escaped unharmed, but the other five died. The victims include two men in their 30s and 50s, a 30-year-old woman, and a father with his 17-year-old daughter, according to Tiroler Tageszeitung.
Rescue teams from Italy’s mountain service worked fast with helicopters to search the area. They found three bodies — a man, another man, and a woman — on Saturday. The father and daughter were found dead today.
Experts say the avalanche occurred because new snow didn’t stick well to the old layer after heavy winds and fresh falls. There was no high alert for danger that day, but early winter storms made the slopes risky. ANSA, the Italian news agency, noted that the avalanche swept away two separate rope teams from the group.
Vertainspitze peak, seen from Konigspitze. Photo: Wikimedia
No one else was hurt in nearby slides that day. Police say the group members were skilled climbers, but the sudden event was difficult to predict. Families are getting support, and the site is now closed for safety.
This area is popular among climbers from Germany and nearby countries, but it can be very dangerous in bad weather.
