An avalanche in Italy's Dolomite mountains has killed five German climbers, including a 17-year-old girl and her father, according to rescuers. The mountaineers, travelling in separate groups, were scaling Cima Vertana in the Ortler Alps at around 16:00 local time on Saturday when the fast-moving snow hit. A group of three people was fully swept away by the avalanche and all died, said Italy's Alpine rescue service, Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico. Separately, the father and daughter were carried away by the avalanche and their bodies were recovered on Sunday. Two other climbers in a third party survived. The alarm was raised by the survivors, triggering the rescue operation.
Olaf Reinstadler, a spokesperson for the Sulden Mountain Rescue Service, informed German media that the avalanche on the 3,545-metre (11,630ft) mountain, also referred to as Vertainspitze, may have been caused by recent snow drifts that hadn't bonded well to the ice below. He expressed concern over why climbers were ascending late in the afternoon, as it could result in a risky descent during nightfall. The bodies of the three together were recovered on Saturday before operations were paused due to fading light and hazardous conditions. Rescuers faced challenges with fog and low visibility that delayed helicopter retrievals. However, once conditions improved, search teams were able to airlift to 2,600 meters before proceeding on foot, leading to the discovery of the father and daughter's bodies the following morning.
Olaf Reinstadler, a spokesperson for the Sulden Mountain Rescue Service, informed German media that the avalanche on the 3,545-metre (11,630ft) mountain, also referred to as Vertainspitze, may have been caused by recent snow drifts that hadn't bonded well to the ice below. He expressed concern over why climbers were ascending late in the afternoon, as it could result in a risky descent during nightfall. The bodies of the three together were recovered on Saturday before operations were paused due to fading light and hazardous conditions. Rescuers faced challenges with fog and low visibility that delayed helicopter retrievals. However, once conditions improved, search teams were able to airlift to 2,600 meters before proceeding on foot, leading to the discovery of the father and daughter's bodies the following morning.
