An avalanche buried three German backcountry skiers in Italy’s northern South Tyrol province on Wednesday, killing one and critically injuring the other two, Italy’s alpine rescue corps said.
RUSSIAN SKIER DEAD, 6 RESCUED IN AVALANCHE AT HIMALAYAN RESORT
All three skiers were recovered quickly thanks to electronic location devices; the two survivors were transported to a hospital in critical condition. A fourth member of the group stayed behind in a mountain hut and was unharmed.
The avalanche occurred as darkness fell about half a mile from the nearest lift during an alpine ski outing near the town of Racines, south of the Austrian border. Some 30 rescuers responded to the emergency.
More than 23 ½ inches of snow have fallen in the area in recent days, putting the entire province under a high avalanche risk.