At least five German climbers, including a father and his 17-year-old daughter, were killed in an avalanche in the Ortles mountains of northern Italy on Saturday. The victims' bodies were found by rescuers on Sunday morning.
According to Alpine rescue spokesman Federico Catania, the climbers were hit by the avalanche at around 4 pm on Saturday while ascending near Cima Vertana, with the group reportedly traveling independently of each other. The incident occurred at an altitude of over 11,500 feet and it's unclear why the climbers were still on their way up at that late hour.
Rescue teams had recovered three bodies on Saturday, but two more people, a man and his daughter, were found dead in the valley where the avalanche occurred. Two men who survived the accident have been taken to a hospital near Bolzano for treatment.
Avalanche accidents are a significant concern in Italy's Alps, with South Tyrol being particularly popular among German tourists. The region's highest peak is Ortles, which stands at 3,905 meters.
According to recent statistics, avalanche-related deaths have increased in Italy over the past few years. Analysis suggests that this may be due in part to more people venturing into backcountry areas immediately after fresh snowfall.
Avalanches have claimed lives across the globe this year, including a skier who died on Alaska's Mount McKinley, and bodies of five skiers found on a glacier above Zermatt in Switzerland. In February, four workers were killed by an avalanche while constructing a highway near India's border with Tibet.
According to Alpine rescue spokesman Federico Catania, the climbers were hit by the avalanche at around 4 pm on Saturday while ascending near Cima Vertana, with the group reportedly traveling independently of each other. The incident occurred at an altitude of over 11,500 feet and it's unclear why the climbers were still on their way up at that late hour.
Rescue teams had recovered three bodies on Saturday, but two more people, a man and his daughter, were found dead in the valley where the avalanche occurred. Two men who survived the accident have been taken to a hospital near Bolzano for treatment.
Avalanche accidents are a significant concern in Italy's Alps, with South Tyrol being particularly popular among German tourists. The region's highest peak is Ortles, which stands at 3,905 meters.
According to recent statistics, avalanche-related deaths have increased in Italy over the past few years. Analysis suggests that this may be due in part to more people venturing into backcountry areas immediately after fresh snowfall.
Avalanches have claimed lives across the globe this year, including a skier who died on Alaska's Mount McKinley, and bodies of five skiers found on a glacier above Zermatt in Switzerland. In February, four workers were killed by an avalanche while constructing a highway near India's border with Tibet.
. It's like, you know how sometimes we think we're invincible just 'cause we're outdoors? Not true! Fresh snow can be super deceiving, and avalanche risks are real 
. Makes me wonder if more people should do those backcountry tours after the snow's been there for a bit longer... or maybe they just need to take some extra precautions, like taking a guide 
.
. Those rescue teams must've worked tirelessly to find all those bodies 
. Hope those survivors from that accident are gonna be okay 
.
12k feet altitude still has its own risks & challenges it just goes to show how unpredictable nature can be 
these avalanche stats are worrisome & maybe ppl should really take warnings seriously? 
i hope the surviving German climbers get well soon 
This is so sad. Five German climbers, including a whole family, lost their lives in such terrible conditions. The fact that they were ascending at 4 pm and still got caught up in the avalanche just goes to show how unpredictable nature can be.
Maybe this is why rescue teams are saying more people should wait for official clearance before heading out? It's just common sense, right?
those german climbers were like family and now they're gone 
11k5ft is crazy altitude but i guess the Ortles mountains are just super beautiful but also super deadly 
my heart goes out to their families and loved ones 
i know how hard it can be when someone close passes away, like losing a friend or family member, but in this case its a whole different level 
i feel so bad for their families and friends they must've been planning this trip for ages and now it's all gone 
... so sad for the dad and his daughter, 17 years old is way too young to go 
!
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this... Like, can't people just check the weather forecast before heading out on their adventures? I know it's not always easy to predict these things, but seriously, five people dead and only three bodies recovered in one day is just crazy 
... Why do they never get more attention?
. Italy's Alps are notorious for these kinds of incidents, and it's no wonder, given the amount of tourism they get from folks like Germany (no offense to my fellow Germans 
). Anyway, glad some folks made it out alive, but seriously, be careful up there! 