Two people were buried by an avalanche on Sunday in the ski area near the northern Italian city of Courmayeur. The body of one of the victims has been recovered. The other victim was searched in vain until dark.
Two companions managed to escape the snow mass. According to ANSA news agency, the four winter sports enthusiasts come from Northern Europe. They had gone off the groomed slopes when they were surprised by the avalanche.
In the Austrian ski resort of Serfaus, a young Dutch woman, 20-year-old Sarah, was killed by an avalanche on Friday. She also skied in the deep snow off-piste. Partly because she did not have an avalanche transceiver with her, the alarmed rescuers arrived too late.
Additional avalanche danger
The authorities in Austria warn of extra avalanche danger this week. This is caused by rising temperatures and the sun shining on the snow. Earlier this week, a 28-year-old Dutch man died in the Swiss Alps. He was also surprised by an avalanche while skiing off-piste.
Dutch skiers in Austria also died earlier this winter. However, that did not happen because of avalanches. On December 25, a 12-year-old girl was killed when she crashed into a tree. A 39-year-old man died while walking to a ski station. And on New Year’s Day, a 28-year-old woman fell down a red slope. More than 100 meters below, she came to a stop against a tree, after which she died. Last winter, several Dutch people were also seriously injured in the snow.
According to spokesman Arjen de Graaf of the Dutch Ski Association (NSV), no more Dutch skiers died this winter than in other years. “We don’t keep track of it exactly, but we don’t have that picture. Many accidents happen in the Alps every year. Avalanches alone kill 80 to 100 skiers every year. You have to add the fatal accidents to that.”
Knowledge, experience and equipment
In the first months of the ski season, many accidents mainly happened on the slopes, says De Graaf, because there was little snowfall at that time, so that many skiers gathered on less square meters of snow. “More fresh snow has fallen in recent weeks. This invites you to ski off-piste. That is the best thing there is for real enthusiasts, but it can be dangerous.”
In principle, the NSV advises skiers not to ski off-piste. “We understand that such a mountain full of snow invites you to do so. But you should only do it if you have the right knowledge, experience and equipment.”
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