Mountain: avalanche in South Tyrol kills three German hikers

Bolzano, 1 November (LaPresse) – An avalanche broke loose in South Tyrol in the Ortles area, near Cima Vertana, involving a group of five German ski mountaineers. According to the mountain rescue service, there are currently three victims. Rescue operations are still underway, coordinated by the Solda mountain rescue station with the support of neighbouring stations, the Guardia di Finanza mountain rescue service, the helicopter rescue service and the fire brigade in the valley. The victims are two men and one woman, who were swept away by the avalanche while climbing a gully on the north face with ice axes and crampons. The alarm was raised at around 3.50 p.m. and search operations began immediately. However, there was nothing that could be done for the three victims and their bodies were immediately brought down to the valley. The other two people in the group were injured, but no further details about their condition have been provided.