Operation over Innsbruck

Search operation on the Nordkette: avalanche hit the piste

Two ambulances and the police helicopter were alerted to search the avalanche cone.(Bild: zoom.tirol)

On Tuesday afternoon, a wet snow avalanche fell onto a piste on Innsbruck's Nordkette mountain range. As it was not clear whether any people were trapped, the Alpine Police and mountain rescue team set out on a search mission.

The wet snow avalanche broke loose at around 1.40 pm below the avalanche barrier on the Innsbruck Nordkette at around 2000 meters above sea level and descended onto the ski slope 6a below. It could not be ruled out that the masses of snow had buried people underneath, which is why the Nordkettenbahn piste rescue service alerted the emergency services. 

All-clear after a thorough search
The police helicopter, two emergency helicopters, the Alpine police and the mountain rescue team then set out. They searched the approximately 50-metre-wide avalanche cone with probes and a search dog, but were unable to find anyone. After around two hours, the all-clear was given. 

According to the police, the avalanche had broken loose due to the weather conditions - strong sunlight combined with fog on the slope.