Three Dutch ski enthusiasts tragically lost their lives to an avalanche near the Sölden ski resort in Austria. Another individual was fortunate to be rescued and swiftly transported to a medical facility.
The victims were among a group consisting of seventeen ski tourers, accompanied by four Austrian guides. They were utilising skis equipped with unique bindings and skins to enable upwards movement – a practice known as ski touring.
The group was making their way towards a mountain shelter roughly 2,500 metres above the sea level when the calamity struck. The avalanche, measured approximately 80 metres in width, happened just before 11am on that fateful Thursday, taking the group by surprise.
Of the four people it engulfed, rescue workers discovered two already devoid of life. The other two noticed to be injured; were promptly attended to. One was airlifted to a hospital, whereas the other was left on the mountain as circumstances dictated. Regrettably, the individual who was left behind didn’t survive the ordeal, a fact later confirmed by a police spokesperson.
Confirming the tragic incident, the Dutch Foreign Ministry revealed that their embassy in Vienna was looking into the details of the accident and was prepared to offer necessary support. At the time of the accident, the avalanche threat level in Tirol province (where Sölden is situated) was labelled as “moderate”, standing second in a scale of five. However, experts had cautioned about potential avalanches triggered by loose snow.