The Austrians, aged 50 to 67, were on their way up in unfavorable light and weather conditions when, at around 10.30 a.m., a large sliding snow avalanche spontaneously released at 1,800 meters above sea level and caught the alpinists. The five ski tourers were able to free themselves and each other from the snow.
Warning due to fresh snowdrifts
According to the Red Cross, three people were injured in the accident. On Sunday there was avalanche warning level 2 (“moderate”) in the accident area. In view of the fresh snowdrift, the situation report expressly warned of sliding and loose snow avalanches from the steep rocky terrain – which applies to the Birgkar.
As the operations manager of the Mühlbach am Hochkönig mountain rescue service, Wolfgang Haggenmüller, said, the situation on site was initially very unclear. The buried people were traveling in independent groups. A ski tourer had left the valley after the avalanche and was therefore initially considered missing. That’s why three local mountain rescue services were alerted. It was only much later that the emergency services could be given the all-clear.
The injured had to dismount on foot
The crews of three helicopters tried to get to the scene of the accident and to rescue the injured in difficult weather conditions – there was heavy snowfall with extremely poor visibility. But this did not work. That is why several mountain rescuers and three dog handlers were dropped off near the scene of the accident so that they can climb up on foot.
According to the mountain rescue service, the operations management of the alpine police then decided that the risk in the terrain was too dangerous for the emergency services. As a result, some of the injured had to ski or dismount themselves a bit because skis had also been lost in the avalanche.
Weather window for dew recovery
The salvage from the air was then successful in a weather window. At least one of the tourers was flown to the hospital in Schwarzach by the rescue helicopter. The five buried people come from the Pongau, from the Tennengau, from Salzburg and from Vienna.
Avalanche also on the Ortler
In an avalanche on the Ortler, the highest mountain in South Tyrol, an Austrian ski tourer was swept away by the masses of snow on Sunday morning. According to media reports, the mid-20-year-old was not buried and suffered only minor injuries to his face.
According to the emergency services, the avalanche broke out around 9:30 a.m. for reasons that have not yet been clarified. At that time, a group of eight ski tourers was on the ascent, including the mid-20s. His companions immediately called 911 because they couldn’t see him at first.
As the emergency services announced, the person concerned was quickly rescued and transferred to the hospital after first aid. The other ski tourers were unharmed and were flown down into the valley by the emergency helicopter.
Source: Nachrichten
