Five German Climbers Killed by Avalanche Near Cima Vertana in Italy's South Tyrol

Five German climbers killed by avalanche in South Tyrol

Five German mountaineers died after being struck by an avalanche on Saturday near Cima Vertana in the Ortles (Ortler) mountains of South Tyrol, northern Italy, rescuers said.

Three victims — two men and a woman — were recovered on Saturday, and the bodies of two other missing climbers, a man and his 17-year-old daughter, were found Sunday morning. The climbers were ascending at an altitude above 3,500 meters (about 11,500 feet) when the avalanche struck at roughly 4 p.m.

"They had been dragged to the lower part of the gully where the avalanche occurred," said Alpine rescue spokesman Federico Catania. He added that rescue teams were withdrawing to the valley because of worsening weather at high altitude.

Initial reports indicate the group was moving in three separate parties and the parties were travelling independently. Two other men survived and were airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in the nearby city of Bolzano. Rescuers said it was unclear why some climbers were still ascending so late in the day.

South Tyrol is a popular destination for German mountaineers; the region’s highest peak, Ortles (Ortler), reaches 3,905 meters (12,812 feet). Avalanche accidents remain a persistent hazard across the Italian Alps. Authorities say victims are often ski mountaineers or freeriders, and some analysts have linked a recent rise in accidents to greater backcountry travel immediately after fresh snowfall.

Safety note: Avalanche risk increases after recent snow and during unstable weather. Experts advise checking local avalanche forecasts, carrying appropriate safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel) and avoiding late-day ascents in hazardous conditions.