Five German mountaineers were killed after an avalanche struck them in the Ortles mountain range in northern Italy’s South Tyrol region on Saturday afternoon. Alpine rescue teams confirmed the final two bodies—belonging to a man and his 17-year-old daughter—were recovered Sunday morning, completing the grim operation.
Three of the victims, two men and a woman, were found dead shortly after the avalanche hit near Cima Vertana at an altitude of over 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). According to rescue spokesman Federico Catania, the victims had been dragged to the lower part of the gully by the force of the avalanche. Adverse weather conditions at higher altitudes prompted rescue teams to begin descending once the final bodies were retrieved.
The group was climbing independently in three separate clusters when the avalanche struck around 4 p.m. Saturday. Two men survived the incident and were airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano. It remains unclear why the climbers were ascending so late in the day, a factor that may have contributed to their vulnerability.
South Tyrol, a favorite destination for German mountaineers, includes some of Italy’s highest peaks, with Ortles rising to 3,905 meters. The area sees regular avalanche activity, particularly among ski mountaineers and freeriders who venture into backcountry zones following fresh snowfalls.
Italy ranks among the countries with the highest avalanche death rates in Europe. Experts believe the growing popularity of off-trail adventures and unpredictable weather patterns may be increasing the frequency and severity of such incidents.
This latest tragedy adds to a worrying trend in the Alps and raises further concerns over safety practices in extreme mountain sports, particularly during high-risk weather windows.
