A series of devastating avalanches in the Austrian Alps has precipitated the tragic deaths of five off-piste skiers, following substantial snowfall in the region.
The first avalanche occurred on Saturday, affecting a group of seven skiers in the Pongau area near Salzburg, leading to four fatalities and severe injuries to one skier. Shortly before this incident, an avalanche had already swept away another skier in the same vicinity.
Mountain rescue teams reported being alerted to the incidents around 14:00 local time (13:00 GMT), uncovering four victims alongside one seriously injured skier. Earlier on the same day, a female skier had been buried by an avalanche, underscoring the hazardous conditions present in the area.
Contacted for comment, Gerhard Kremser, the district head of the Pongau mountain rescue, expressed deep sympathy to the families of those affected, emphasizing the severity of the current avalanche situation. He remarked, This tragedy painfully demonstrates how serious the current avalanche situation is. Further avalanches were reported around midday, although they did not result in any injuries.
The recent incidents highlight a concerning trend regarding avalanche safety in the Alps. Just days prior, a 13-year-old Czech boy was killed in another avalanche at the Bad Gastein resort, and a 58-year-old skier lost his life in the Tyrolean resort of Weerberg. In Switzerland, a German individual perished, and several others were injured while cross-country skiing. The previous weekend also saw a tragic incident in France, where six skiers lost their lives across various alpine resorts due to avalanches.
As the winter season progresses, officials reiterate the importance of adhering to safety precautions and remaining alert to avalanche conditions, particularly in off-piste skiing areas.
