An avalanche in Italy's Dolomite mountains has claimed the lives of five German climbers, including a 17-year-old girl and her father. This tragic event occurred on Cima Vertana in the Ortler Alps on Saturday afternoon, around 16:00 local time, as climbers from different groups were making their ascent.
According to Italy's Alpine rescue service, Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico, a group of three climbers was completely swept away by the avalanche, resulting in their immediate deaths. The father and daughter, who were climbing separately, were also carried off by the avalanche, with their bodies recovered the following day. Fortunately, two climbers in another group survived the ordeal.
The alarm was raised by the survivors, which initiated a large-scale rescue operation. Olaf Reinstadler, spokesperson for the Sulden Mountain Rescue Service, noted that recent snow drifts, which had failed to bond properly to the ice beneath, likely triggered the avalanche. He raised concerns regarding the decision of climbers to ascend late in the afternoon, as this would extend their descent into darkness.
The bodies of the three individuals travelling together were found on Saturday, but rescuers had to pause their operations due to poor visibility conditions. Rescheduling started when weather conditions improved, allowing helicopters and rescue dogs to deploy.
By late morning on Sunday, rescue teams had located the bodies of the father and daughter, bringing a tragic close to a perilous day in the mountains.
