In Italy’s South Tyrol region, an avalanche tragically claimed the lives of two skiers on Saturday, as confirmed by the nation’s mountain rescue service.
The incident occurred at an elevation of approximately 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) on the slopes of the Hohe Ferse, also known as Monte Tallone Grande, which reaches 2,669 meters (8,757 feet). This location is near the town of Ratschings, close to the Austrian border.
The Bolzano emergency center of the CNSAS rescue service stated that a total of 25 skiers were swept up in the avalanche.
In addition to the two fatalities, three skiers sustained serious injuries, while two others were lightly injured in the event.
The avalanche struck at 11:40 a.m. local time (1040 GMT).
The rescue operation was extensive, involving six helicopters and roughly 80 rescuers from CNSAS, the Alpine Association, as well as police and firefighters, as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA.
This season has seen an unusually high number of death from avalanches.
European Avalanche Warning Services reports in its website avalanches.org that fatalities average 100 per season.
As of March 16, reported deaths this season starting Oct. 1 were at 127, including 33 in Italy, 31 in France and 29 in Austria.
In early February, just as Italy was hosting the Winter Olympics, a record 13 skiers had died on the slopes during one week, including 10 in avalanches.
Experts attributed the deaths to an exceptionally unstable snowpack and the rush of skiing enthusiasts to off-piste slopes after recent heavy snowstorms.
Climate experts have argued that snow instability is due to rising temperatures and stronger winds.
