Lucky for skiers – powerful avalanche fell on glacier emergency route

It could have ended worse: When many skiers were heading down the valley, a wet snow avalanche fell on the emergency route on the Pitztal Glacier. A large search operation ended without result and also prematurely because the further danger was too great.

At 2:50 p.m., the approximately 250-metre-long wet snow avalanche released in the Pitztal Glacier ski area in the open ski area above the so-called emergency route. At this point, many skiers used the emergency route as a shortcut to get down to the valley faster. A search of the entire avalanche cone for people buried was negative. In the course of this search, further avalanches and a secondary avalanche could be perceived. The operation was therefore canceled by the Innerpitztal mountain rescue service due to the increased risk of avalanches. The Innerpitztal mountain rescue service, avalanche dogs with handlers, two helicopters and the alpine police were deployed.
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