Avalanche Tragedy in Tyrol

Witnesses reported a massive avalanche in Tyrol

Two winter sports enthusiasts were buried by an avalanche in the Marchkopf area of the Zillertal in Tyrol.(Bild: ZOOM Tirol)

Avalanche alert in Tyrol: In the Zillertal, an avalanche proved fatal for a 41-year-old freerider from Italy. He was caught and swept away by a snow slab. Witnesses had previously reported a massive avalanche in the area of the Seeblesspitze in Matrei am Brenner. Fortunately, no one else was buried there.

The alert was issued by the Tyrol Control Center around 12:45 p.m. “Major avalanche – Matrei am Brenner, Tuxer Alps,” read the dispatch code. As the shift supervisor at the control center explained to “Krone,” witnesses had reported a large avalanche in the area of the Seeblesspitze (2,628 meters).

Large-scale operation with mountain rescuers and helicopters
Since the observations were made from a distance, it was initially completely unclear whether there were any injured or buried victims. A rescue operation was immediately launched. Helicopters were also quickly on the scene.

Operation called off. No one is buried.

Robert Hörtnagl, Bergrettung Matrei am Brenner

Shortly after 1:30 p.m., the “Krone” reached Robert Hörtnagl, head of the Matreier Mountain Rescue Service, directly at the scene of the accident. He immediately gave the all-clear over the phone: “Operation canceled. No one is buried.”

The avalanche had come down in the Seeblesspitze area toward the Arztal—on the northern side. Hörtnagl also described it as a “major avalanche.” The Matrei am Brenner and Steinach mountain rescue teams (23 members) were on the scene, as were the Martin 2 emergency medical helicopter and the Libelle Tirol police helicopter.

No tracks, no signal
According to Hörtnagl, the helicopters flew over the avalanche. There were no tracks leading into the avalanche. Furthermore, no avalanche transceiver signal was received. Dog handlers also searched the avalanche deposit.

Winter sports enthusiast in the Zillertal completely buried
The avalanche in the Marchkopf area of the Tux Alps in the Zillertal did not end as well. The 41-year-old winter sports enthusiast from Italy was swept away by a snow slab approximately 250 meters wide and completely buried. A fellow Italian, who was partially buried but suffered only a minor hand injury, made an emergency call and searched for his companion. The freerider was rescued about 30 minutes later by rescue workers from a depth of 1.60 meters. Ultimately, however, any help came too late—he died at the scene.

According to authorities, the two Italians had skied onto a 40-degree northwest slope around 5:15 p.m. when the snow slab suddenly broke loose about 100 meters below the summit. Two rescue helicopters and mountain rescuers were deployed.

Dangerous Situation After Massive Amounts of Fresh Snow
60 centimeters of fresh snow—and even more in some places! The massive onset of winter in recent days has once again dramatically worsened the avalanche situation in western Austria. In Tyrol, warning level 3 out of 5 is in effect across the region on Saturday. Statistically speaking, this is the level at which most accidents occur! 

“Avalanches can be triggered very easily by a single person. Especially in regions where a lot of fresh snow has fallen, danger zones are more frequent and avalanches are potentially larger,” warned the Tyrolean Avalanche Warning Service in its latest situation report. As a general rule: Away from the secured slopes, the avalanche situation is very dangerous across the region.

Defensive behavior can save lives
Due to the fresh snow combined with the wind over the past few days and the poor snowpack structure, the avalanche situation remains very tense. “We recommend being cautious and watching for warning signs—such as fresh avalanches nearby, cracks in the snowpack, or settling noises,” emphasized avalanche forecaster Norbert Lanzanasto.