Mar 22, 2026, 1:57 p.mMar 22, 2026, 1:57 p.m
After an avalanche accident in South Tyrol, the death toll has increased to three. A 26-year-old Italian woman who was hit by the slab of snow in the Stubai Alps died of her injuries in a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria. The bodies of two men, aged 56 and 62, had previously been recovered. Four other skiers – including three Germans – were seriously injured.
According to the mountain rescue service, around two dozen ski tourers were hit by an enormous avalanche at an altitude of 2,450 meters on Saturday. The snow slab, which was approximately 150 meters wide and 800 meters long, came loose around midday in high alpine terrain. On a steep slope near the 2,669 meter high Hohe Ferse near Ratschings, it hit two dozen skiers who were touring.
Mountain guide and local among fatalities
The majority were able to save themselves. However, ten winter sports enthusiasts were swept away and buried, some of them meters deep, in the masses of snow. Several of the buried skiers were carrying tracking devices, which makes searching in the event of an avalanche accident much easier.
The only people rescued dead were a 62-year-old mountain guide from South Tyrol, who was traveling with a group, and a 56-year-old man. He also comes from the region. The woman who has now died was taken to Innsbruck by helicopter. The rescue workers were on duty with more than 60 helpers.
Many avalanche deaths this winter
This means that at least 128 people have died in avalanches in Europe’s mountains this winter season since the beginning of October. The highest number of avalanche deaths was recorded in Italy, now at 35, followed by France (31) and Austria (29). This emerges from current figures from the European Avalanche Warning Service (EAWS), an association of avalanche warning services.
The statistics include deaths since October 1st – primarily in the Alps, but also in other mountains such as the Carpathians further east. The winter season is not yet considered over. However, it is already clear that the death toll in 2025/26 will be unusually high. In the past decade, there was only one winter in Europe in which more people died from avalanches: 147 fatalities were recorded in 2017/18.
There is still a danger of avalanches in South Tyrol
Experts cite climate change as one of the reasons. Accordingly, the traditional seasonal rhythms change due to higher temperatures, which is why the snow is no longer as solid. In addition, the so-called old snow and recently fallen snow no longer combine so well. There are also stronger winds, so dangerous drifting snow is accumulating, they say. In addition, ski tours and descents outside the groomed slopes have been becoming more popular for some time.
On Sunday, the avalanche danger in South Tyrol was given as 2 on a five-point scale. At the same time, the experts urged caution, especially on very steep shady slopes above 2,200 meters altitude. “As a result of fresh snow and wind, small snowdrift accumulations usually form over the course of the night. Even individual winter sports enthusiasts can trigger avalanches in places,” it said. (sda/dpa)