Five German mountaineers died after an avalanche struck Italy's Ortler Alps on Saturday afternoon, rescue officials reported. The victims were part of separate climbing parties ascending Cima Vertana, a peak reaching 3,545 meters, when snow swept down the mountain around 4 p.m. local time.
Three climbers traveling together were completely engulfed and killed by the avalanche, according to Italy's Alpine rescue service. A 17-year-old girl and her father, who were climbing separately, also perished in the slide. Their bodies were located on Sunday after rescue teams resumed operations. Two mountaineers from a third group survived and alerted authorities.
Recovery efforts faced significant challenges. Rescuers retrieved the first three bodies on Saturday before darkness and dangerous conditions halted work. Dense fog prevented helicopter flights at dawn on Sunday, but improving weather later allowed crews and avalanche dogs to reach the search area. Olaf Reinstadler from the Sulden Mountain Rescue Service told German media that unstable snow drifts likely triggered the disaster. He questioned why climbers began their ascent so late, noting the descent would have extended into nightfall despite favorable conditions.
Three climbers traveling together were completely engulfed and killed by the avalanche, according to Italy's Alpine rescue service. A 17-year-old girl and her father, who were climbing separately, also perished in the slide. Their bodies were located on Sunday after rescue teams resumed operations. Two mountaineers from a third group survived and alerted authorities.
Recovery efforts faced significant challenges. Rescuers retrieved the first three bodies on Saturday before darkness and dangerous conditions halted work. Dense fog prevented helicopter flights at dawn on Sunday, but improving weather later allowed crews and avalanche dogs to reach the search area. Olaf Reinstadler from the Sulden Mountain Rescue Service told German media that unstable snow drifts likely triggered the disaster. He questioned why climbers began their ascent so late, noting the descent would have extended into nightfall despite favorable conditions.
