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FIVE PEOPLE HAVE died and another person has been injured after an avalanche struck Austria’s Tyrol province, according to the rescue services.
The victims were buried under snow in an area near the Swiss border, a rescue official told AFP.
“Unfortunately five people lost their lives,” he said.
He added that an injured woman was evacuated to hospital.
No details were given on the identity or nationality of those killed in the avalanche.
The weather services have urged caution after the numerous snowfalls this week.
More than 50 avalanches were recorded in the Tyrol region over 48 hours.
One of the other avalanches hit a slope in the famous ski resort of Soelden, burying five people who were all rescued alive, according to rescue workers.
In recent years, an average of around 20 people have been killed annually by avalanches in Austria.
The last two seasons were less deadly as the coronavirus pandemic reduced the number of skiers overall.
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As a non-skier, ignorant of the sport, the death figures do seem surprisingly high to me, especially just focused on avalanche figures. Now I’m left wondering how dangerous the sport is overall when you take into account all types of injuries.
Very sad for those that lost their lives doing.
* doing something they probably loved.
Still looking for an edit button Journal…
@Richard: A lot of times when you read of avalanche deaths they are ski touring rather than downhill skiing. I’ve skied for 30 years and have had one bad injury and have only ever witnessed a handful of bad injuries. It can be dangerous but not as dangerous as plenty of other sports/activities.
@Gar: I’ll have to take your word for it Gar. That still seems like a bunch of injuries you were around.
Always seems like such a fun sport. Wish it were possible in Ireland, in a real way. Always preferred colder weather to a sun holiday.
@Richard: as a family we’ve been skiing for 23 years with 2 injuries and both back on the slopes the following year. Much more fun than a sun holiday. You can get badly injured from falling on a path or on a golf course. Less injuries sticking to the slopes and not going off piste.
What a sad tragedy, R.I.P to all who died , Condolences to their family and friends
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