Italy Mountain Avalanches Kill 10 Skiers and Climbers in One Week

This past week, 10 people died in avalanches in Italy's mountains. This is a record number of deaths for a single week.
By Newsroom | Travel, Europe |

A series of dangerous avalanches has caused numerous deaths in Italy's mountain regions recently. Reports highlight incidents involving both off-piste skiers and mountaineers, with officials pointing to risky conditions and sometimes, risky choices by individuals.

Recent Avalanche Events and Fatalities

Recent weeks have seen a disturbing rise in avalanche incidents across the Italian Alps. Several news reports detail these events, painting a picture of perilous conditions.

Moment avalanche cascades down mountain in Italy as dozens of skiers watch on - before desperately trying to flee - 1

  • Courmayeur Incident: A large avalanche recently cascaded down a mountainside near the Italian resort of Courmayeur. Footage captured dozens of skiers who were reportedly attempting to flee the unfolding disaster. This incident occurred days after two skiers lost their lives in a separate avalanche near the same resort. On Tuesday, a British national residing in Switzerland was also reported killed in an avalanche.

  • Record Fatalities: Over a recent week, a record 13 individuals died in the Italian mountains. Of these, 10 were linked to avalanches. These deaths occurred on ungroomed slopes, away from monitored areas such as the Olympic sites in Lombardy and Cortina d’Ampezzo, and cross-country skiing locations in Val di Fiemme.

  • Valtellina Incident: In Alpe Meriggio in Valtellina, an avalanche resulted in two deaths and one serious injury. One victim was fatally buried.

  • Ortles Mountains Incident: Five German mountaineers died in an avalanche near Cima Vertana in the Ortles mountains, at an altitude exceeding 3,500 meters. The victims were in three separate groups, and it remains unclear why they were still ascending at a late hour. The bodies of three individuals were recovered on a Saturday, with a man and his 17-year-old daughter found the following morning.

Contributing Factors to Avalanche Risk

Officials and experts cite a combination of natural conditions and human activity as contributing to the recent fatalities.

Moment avalanche cascades down mountain in Italy as dozens of skiers watch on - before desperately trying to flee - 2

  • Snow Conditions: Fresh snowfall combined with wind-blown snow creating weak internal layers on mountainsides has led to especially risky conditions across the Alpine region bordering France, Switzerland, and Austria. Federico Catania, spokesperson for Italy's Alpine Rescue Corps, stated that under such conditions, the movement of a single skier or the natural weight of snow can be enough to trigger an avalanche.

  • Off-Piste Dangers: A significant number of incidents involve skiing or climbing in off-piste areas, which are ungroomed and unmonitored. This was the case for two individuals in Italy's South Tyrol region who narrowly escaped an avalanche they reportedly triggered. Italian authorities are reportedly increasing enforcement against off-piste skiing in high-risk zones.

  • Timing of Ascents: In the Ortles mountains incident, rescuers expressed uncertainty regarding the reasons for the mountaineers' ascent at a relatively late hour, suggesting it may have played a role in the timing of the avalanche strike.

Official Responses and Warnings

Italian authorities and rescue services have issued warnings and are reportedly reviewing enforcement measures.

Moment avalanche cascades down mountain in Italy as dozens of skiers watch on - before desperately trying to flee - 3

  • Ski Resort Safety: Skiers are advised against going off-piste when avalanche danger levels exceed a certain threshold, reportedly tier three. Skiing in managed and monitored areas is considered to carry less significant risks.

  • Enforcement: Reports indicate that Italian authorities are "doubling down on enforcement" against off-piste skiing in high-risk areas, aiming to hold accountable those who disregard safety measures.

Expert Perspectives

Federico Catania, spokesman for Italy's Alpine Rescue Corps, has provided insights into the dangerous conditions. He noted that the combination of fresh snowfall and wind-swept snowcaps on weak internal layers creates high-risk situations. He also explained that under these conditions, even minimal disturbance can trigger an avalanche.

Moment avalanche cascades down mountain in Italy as dozens of skiers watch on - before desperately trying to flee - 4

Conclusion

The recent spate of fatal avalanches in Italy underscores the significant dangers present in mountainous regions, particularly during periods of unstable snowpack. While natural conditions play a critical role, the decision to venture into off-piste areas or ascend at late hours appears to be a recurring factor in these tragedies. Authorities are reinforcing warnings and enforcement against risky behavior in high-risk zones. The data points to a need for continued vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines for anyone venturing into these environments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many people died in avalanches in Italy recently?
A record 10 people died in avalanches in the Italian mountains in one recent week. This is part of a larger total of 13 deaths in the mountains during that same period.
Q: Where did the avalanches happen in Italy?
The deadly avalanches happened in areas like Courmayeur, Valtellina, and the Ortles mountains. These are mostly off-piste areas, meaning they are not monitored or managed ski slopes.
Q: What caused so many avalanches in Italy?
Fresh snowfall combined with wind created weak snow layers on mountainsides. Experts say even a small disturbance, like a skier, can trigger an avalanche in these conditions.
Q: Why did 5 German mountaineers die in the Ortles mountains?
Five German mountaineers died in an avalanche near Cima Vertana in the Ortles mountains. They were in three separate groups at a high altitude, and it is unclear why they were still climbing so late in the day.
Q: What are officials doing about the avalanche danger in Italy?
Italian authorities are warning people about the dangers of off-piste skiing, especially when avalanche danger levels are high. They are also increasing enforcement against those who ski in risky, unmonitored areas.