Five killed as massive avalanche in western Austria buries more than a dozen skiers
- 8 years ago
TYROL, AUSTRIA — Five skiers from the Czech Republic were killed at a popular ski spot in the Austrian Alps during an avalanche on Saturday.
Skiers were engulfed by a deadly avalanche that struck the Austrian skiing region of Tyrol on Saturday afternoon, reported Reuters.
Despite the level three — out of a possible five — avalanche alert earlier that day, 17 skiers moving in two separate groups of 12 and five were taking part in a “freeride camp.”
When the avalanche hit shortly after noon, it buried all 17 skiers. According to Reuters, citing local TV station ORF Tirol, the avalanche was two kilometres wide and five metres deep.
Helicopters and search dogs were deployed to rescue the survivors. Another two skiers suffered minor injuries while the remaining ten survived unharmed. By the time rescuers arrived at the scene, some skiers had been able to pull themselves out of the snow.
The avalanche was one of 19 avalanches reported in Tyrol on Saturday, reported the BBC.
Skiers were engulfed by a deadly avalanche that struck the Austrian skiing region of Tyrol on Saturday afternoon, reported Reuters.
Despite the level three — out of a possible five — avalanche alert earlier that day, 17 skiers moving in two separate groups of 12 and five were taking part in a “freeride camp.”
When the avalanche hit shortly after noon, it buried all 17 skiers. According to Reuters, citing local TV station ORF Tirol, the avalanche was two kilometres wide and five metres deep.
Helicopters and search dogs were deployed to rescue the survivors. Another two skiers suffered minor injuries while the remaining ten survived unharmed. By the time rescuers arrived at the scene, some skiers had been able to pull themselves out of the snow.
The avalanche was one of 19 avalanches reported in Tyrol on Saturday, reported the BBC.