A devastating avalanche in the Italian Alps has claimed the lives of five mountaineers from Germany. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the high-altitude Ortles mountain range.
Authorities report that the climbers were ascending near the Cima Vertana peak, at an elevation exceeding 3,500 meters, when they were swept away. While three victims were recovered on the day of the accident, the search continued into Sunday, when the bodies of a man and his teenage daughter were located further down the slope.
Two individuals survived the slide and were airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano for treatment. Initial reports indicate the party was composed of several independent groups. Investigators have noted the relatively late hour of the ascent as a point of inquiry, though the exact circumstances leading to the tragedy remain under review.
The popular South Tyrol region, where the Ortles mountain is the highest peak, attracts numerous alpine enthusiasts. This incident underscores the persistent dangers of avalanche terrain in the Alps, a hazard that claims lives annually, often among those venturing into unpatrolled backcountry areas. Experts have observed a potential correlation between increased backcountry activity following new snow and a rise in such accidents.