Two Further Avalanche Deaths in The Alps
They are the latest to die in what is becoming one of the worst winters in recent times with more than 70 fatalities so far across the Alps.
The annual average of deaths in the Alps is around 100, and it is now around half way through the season.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday at 11am in the Val Veny area of Courmayeur.
It is reported they were skiing off piste in the Vesses couloir.
One was pronounced dead at the scene, and another died later in hospital.
A third man is being treated in hospital in Turin and is in a ‘critical’ condition.
Their identities and nationalities have not been released.
The search and rescue team consisted of 15 rescuers and three dog units.
Two helicopters were used.
12 people died in the Italian mountains in the first week of February alone.
On Saturday three skiers were caught in an avalanche while skiing near Airolo in Switzerland.
Two of them died and the third person was uninjured.
The victims were a 35-year-old Belgian man and a 30-year-old Belgian man living in Germany.
The avalanche risk at the time was Level 3+ (considerable).
In the Slovakian High Tatras a mountaineer was buried by an avalanche on Saturday.
On Friday two Britons died in an avalanche in France:
Last week also saw resorts in France closing the whole of their ski areas as the risk was put at Level 5Â (Very High), which is extremely rare.
There remains a ‘high’ risk of avalanche in large parts of the Swiss Alps as another storm hits.
Avalanche risk in Switzerland, Monday 16th February. Image c/o Swiss Avalanche Institute.
There have been 11 avalanche deaths this season in Switzerland
The authorities are urging extreme caution off piste and for all skiers & snowboarders venturing beyond the marked runs to be properly equipped and to obey all the rules.
See our updated snow report for further details of the new snowfall:
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