A fatal avalanche struck the Ortler ridge in South Tyrol on Saturday, killing three German climbers and leaving two others missing.
Avalanche on the Ortler Ridge
A fatal avalanche struck the Ortler mountain range in South Tyrol, Italy at about 16:00 on 1 November, swallowing three groups of German climbers. The victims—a 30‑year‑old woman, a 30‑year‑old man, and a 50‑year‑old man—were rescued from beneath the snow but could not be saved. The climbers were descending a gorge on the north face of Cima Vertana with ice axes and crampons. The peak has two summits, the higher at 3,545 m and the lower at 3,389 m.
Rescue Operations and Status
Rescue teams using helicopters and drones operated in the area. Two other two‑person groups of German skiers were also being searched for; two were rescued, while two remain missing. The operation is coordinated by the Solda Mountain Rescue Station with support from nearby Alpine Rescue Stations, the Border Guard and local fire departments.
Weather and Avalanche Conditions
At 21:00, authorities announced that the search and rescue operation would be suspended until Sunday morning because weather conditions had become especially difficult and threatened the rescue effort.
Avalanche Trigger
The spokesperson for Italian mountain rescuers said that on that day there was no significant avalanche risk; the event may have been caused by fresh snow drifts loosening from the ground before they were firmly bonded.