"Winter is not over"

106 alpine fatalities and 7517 accidents recorded

Most of the fatalities occurred on a piste or ski route (25 percent).

(Bild: Kirill Gorlov - stock.adobe.com)

The number of alpine fatalities and accidents in the past winter of 2022/2023 was in line with the long-term average. 106 people lost their lives in Austria's mountains between November 1, 2023 and April 1, 2024, which is just below the ten-year average of 109. 7517 people had accidents "on the mountain". However, 30 percent of them were uninjured.

Most of the fatalities occurred on a piste or ski route (25 percent), while 20 people (19 percent) lost their lives on ski tours.

However, significantly fewer fatal avalanche accidents were recorded: While the long-term average was 16 people dying under an avalanche, the figure for this year's period under review was eight. The fatal avalanches that occurred in Tyrol last week (four fatalities) were not included. The majority of those affected were men (81 percent) and Austrian citizens (53 percent), followed by Germans (27 percent).

"Sport with a cold is life-threatening"
As in previous seasons, cardiovascular disorders were the most common cause of accident or emergency death, accounting for 27% of all fatalities. In this context, Peter Paal, President of the Austrian Council for Alpine Safety (ÖKAS), referred to the danger of myocarditis. "It has to be said here that sport with a cold is life-threatening."

Collisions most frequent
In terms of overall accidents, collisions, mostly on pistes and ski routes, were the most common. However, it was pointed out that the Alpine Police only record accidents where there is suspicion of third-party fault.

"Overconfidence" often the reason for an emergency call
Accidents were also at the ten-year average (4645) with 4831 incidents. The number of uninjured people who made an emergency call because they were in a difficult situation remained high. Those affected were often "overwhelmed or overestimated themselves".

45 percent of accidents in Tyrol
The federal state of Tyrol once again stood out from the statistics. 45 percent of accidents and 29 percent of fatalities occurred there. Salzburg was in a sad second place with 20 deaths, followed by Vorarlberg with 17 deaths. The picture was the same for accidents (Tyrol: 2155, Salzburg: 757, Vorarlberg: 745).

Forestry accidents also increased
In line with a recent trend, the number of forestry accidents also increased further. Eleven out of 68 accidents were fatal. Paal referred to the effects of one of the warmest winters since weather records began and the associated weather extremes.