Negligent homicide

Mountain guide (41) under investigation after avalanche tragedy

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19.01.2026 11:37

Two days after the avalanche accident in the Grossarl Valley that claimed four lives, the public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into negligent homicide. The focus is on the 41-year-old mountain guide from the Alpine Club who led the seven-member tour group on a training course. An expert is to clarify any outstanding questions.

In response to an inquiry from "Krone," Elena Haslinger from the Salzburg public prosecutor's office confirmed: "A preliminary investigation has been launched against a mountain guide on suspicion of negligent homicide." In addition, the prosecution service commissioned an expert in avalanche science to prepare a report.

Key questions still to be clarified
The expert is to clarify details about the tour, the ascent, the weather and snow conditions, and so on. One of the key questions that investigators still have to clarify is: Who triggered the avalanche on Saturday afternoon at Finsterkopf? Was it the ski tourers themselves, or did the snow masses possibly come down on their own?

As reported several times, the seven-member ski touring group was in the Großarl Valley on Saturday for a training course—which, ironically, was about avalanche awareness and risk assessment. An avalanche occurred, engulfing the group: Four winter sports enthusiasts, all experienced ski tourers, were killed.

They were two Tyroleans (65, 63), a Styrian (60), and an Upper Austrian (53). The Salzburg mountain guide (41) and a Salzburg man (58) were rescued from the snow and survived. Investigators are now working to clarify the exact circumstances.

This article has been automatically translated,
read the original article here.

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