An avalanche hit the Stubaier Gletscher, in the Austrian Tirol, at around 9:25 am this Thursday (27). Oito skiers were buried on slope number 9, including five Germans. Equipes rescue team concluded the search at 4pm without finding any other victims.
The incident occurred in one of the most popular areas of the ski resort. Mais of 200 rescuers participated in the operation with helicopters and sniffer dogs.
Causes of snow drift
The avalanche was triggered by freeriders skiing outside the marked slopes. The snow cone was two meters high and between 100 and 200 meters wide.
Four skiers activated their airbags and were swept away but not buried. Dois others suffered partial burial and were quickly located.
Nationalities of rescued victims
Rescue teams identified the following nationalities among the eight saved skiers:
- Five Germans
- Two Bulgarians
- An Austrian
All those rescued received medical attention. Dois skiers were taken by helicopter to hospitals in the region.
https://twitter.com/manu_oberhuber/status/1994025754682601641?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwRescue operation in detail
Three helicopters flew over the area throughout the day. Cães sniffers helped locate the victims under the snow.
Main equipment used:
- Avalanche Detectors (ARVA)
- Rescue probes
- Specialized breads
- Medical rescue helicopters
The operation involved multiple bergrettung teams from the Tirol region. Coordination was done by the Innsbruck command center.
Immediate security measures
Lane number 9 was immediately closed after the accident. Nearby cable car stations have also suspended operations.
Affected area remains closed
The director of the ski resort, Andreas Kleinlercher, confirmed the interruption of operations in the affected area. The other runways on Stubaier Gletscher maintained normal operation.
The closure aims to ensure the stability of the snow and prevent further landslides. Técnicos carry out constant monitoring of the slope.
History of incidents in the region
The Stubaier Gletscher records busy skier traffic during the season. The station has 67 km of tracks and a maximum altitude of 3,312 meters.
Station data:
- 26 cable cars in operation
- 80% of slopes with artificial snow
- Capacity for 15 thousand skiers per day
Prevention protocols activated
Tyrolean authorities have reinforced avalanche risk warnings. Sistemas preventive blasting devices were installed on the most dangerous slopes.
Security measures implemented:
- Daily snow stability check
- Mandatory use of avalanche locators
- Mandatory training for freeriders
- Drone monitoring
The rescue operation was successfully completed at 4pm. Todas the eight victims were located and treated, with no deaths recorded.