In a heartbreaking incident, five off-piste skiers have lost their lives following two avalanches in the Austrian Alps, particularly in the Pongau area near Salzburg. The local mountain rescue authorities reported that heavy snowfall contributed to the perilous conditions leading to these avalanches.
The first avalanche struck a group of seven skiers, resulting in the tragic death of four individuals and leaving one seriously injured. A separate avalanche occurred earlier that same day, taking the life of another skier in the vicinity.
Conditions have turned treacherous in the Alps, as recent incidents over the past week have claimed several lives. The Pongau mountain rescue service received alerts around 14:00 local time and quickly mobilized to assist those affected. Despite the rescue operations, the grim reality set in as four victims were transported found deceased.
Gerhard Kremser, the district head of the Pongau mountain rescue service, expressed condolences stating, Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. This tragedy painfully demonstrates how serious the current avalanche situation is. Rescuers noted additional avalanches were reported around the same region later in the day, though thankfully there were no injuries in those cases.
Earlier this week, a series of avalanches across Austria have culminated in more casualties, including a 13-year-old boy in Bad Gastein and a 58-year-old man in Tyrolean resort Weerberg. Avalanches have also been a concern in neighboring countries, leading to multiple injuries and fatalities. The situation remains critical, with authorities urging skiers to exercise extreme caution as the risk of further avalanches looms.
