Deadliest Week of Winter: 13 Die in Italy’s Mountains
Photo: Iitalian Alpine Rescue Via AP
A record 13 backcountry skiers, climbers, and hikers have died in the Italian mountains over the past week, according to Italy’s Alpine Rescue Corps, with 10 of the deaths caused by avalanches triggered by an exceptionally unstable snowpack.
Rescuers said the fatalities occurred amid a series of recent snowstorms that deposited fresh snow on weak underlying layers, creating dangerous conditions across the entire Alpine arc bordering France, Switzerland, and Austria.
“Under such conditions, the passage of a single skier, or natural overloading from the weight of snow, can be sufficient to trigger an avalanche,” said Federico Catania, spokesperson for Italy’s Alpine Rescue Corps.
Avalanches outside managed ski areas
The avalanche deaths took place on ungroomed, unmanaged slopes, well away from monitored ski resorts and Olympic venues. Officials emphasized that there was no danger to athletes or recreational skiers within managed ski areas, including Olympic sites in Lombardy, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto, and Val di Fiemme in Trentino.
“All of these areas are constantly monitored and are generally safe regardless of Olympic events,” Catania said.
The warning comes as Winter Olympic competitions are underway in northern Italy, drawing increased attention to mountain conditions.
Recent incidents across northern Italy
Over the weekend alone:
- Two skiers died in avalanches in Lombardy
- Three skiers were killed in Trentino
- One skier died in South Tyrol
Among the victims were two people killed in separate avalanches near the Marmolada glacier.
The overall death toll also included:
- Two hikers, one on Monte Grappa in Veneto and another in the Marche region of the Apennines
- One ice climber in Valle d’Aosta
Photo: Iitalian Alpine Rescue Via AP
Increased traffic, increased risk
Rescue officials said the combination of frequent storms and short weather windows has driven more people into the mountains whenever conditions briefly improve.
“With recent snowstorms, people have been rushing to the mountains during brief windows of good weather, and as a result the number of accidents, and therefore fatalities, has increased proportionally,” Catania said.
Safety warnings remain in effect
Rescuers are urging anyone planning backcountry travel to carefully consult avalanche bulletins and to postpone outings until the snowpack has stabilized.
The Alpine Rescue Corps also reported that it conducted the helicopter rescue of U.S. downhill skier Lindsey Vonn after she crashed during competition in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday. She was rescued successfully.
Source: AP NEWS
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