Tragedy has struck the Italian Alps as a powerful avalanche swept down the Cima Vertana mountain, claiming the lives of five German climbers. The incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, involved three separate groups of mountaineers who were scaling the peaks in the Ortler Alps.
According to Italy’s Alpine rescue service, Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico, one group of three climbers was completely engulfed by the fast-moving snow, leading to their immediate deaths. In a separate incident on the same mountain, a father and his teenage daughter were also caught in the avalanche. Their bodies were recovered the following day.
Two other climbers, part of a third group, miraculously survived the ordeal and were the ones who raised the alarm, initiating a large-scale rescue operation. However, challenging weather conditions, including fog and low visibility, initially hampered rescue efforts on Sunday morning. Once conditions improved, rescuers, supported by avalanche dog units, were airlifted to higher altitudes before continuing their search on foot.
Officials are investigating the cause of the avalanche, with early indications suggesting that recent snow drifts may not have properly bonded with the icy surface below. The timing of the climb, late in the afternoon, has also raised questions, as it meant any descent would have taken place after dark.
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