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An avalanche hit one or more skiers on a slope on Austria’s Arlberg. After a winter sports enthusiast was quickly rescued, two other possible victims were searched for in the evening. At first, the authorities assumed, based on a witness’s video, that about ten skiers could be lying under the avalanche cone. However, eight of the ten persons have now been identified. They were safe and barely made it out of the falling avalanche. “There is also hope that we do not have any missing persons reports,” said the spokesperson. Sometimes 200 helpers, a number of sniffer dogs and a few helicopters were deployed.

Searchlights were also flown in to continue the rescue operation at night. According to the police, the snow masses had reached a slope in the ski area on the approximately 2700 meter high Trittkopf near Lech. The snow roll had come loose around 3 p.m.

There had been a lot of snow in the high alpine terrain in recent days. According to the police, spring-like conditions prevailed on Sunday in the Arlberg ski area, which is popular due to the many slopes and guaranteed snow. At the same time, according to the avalanche warning service, the avalanche danger was considerable.

Survival possible only for a short time

An avalanche also crashed on unsecured terrain in Sölden, Austria, on Sunday. After a search of about two and a half hours for a possible missing person, the all-clear was finally given.

It is extremely rare for avalanches to reach slopes that are considered safe, but it cannot be ruled out. Three years ago, a woman and two seven-year-old girls in South Tyrol died when a huge slab of snow erupted at an altitude of 3,000 meters in Schnalstal and thundered down the slope. In Andermatt, Switzerland, there was also an incident in December 2019 where masses of snow buried six skiers on the slopes. But the misfortune ended lightly.

Surviving in an avalanche is actually only possible for a short time. Victims suffocate under the packed snow or succumb to their injuries. In individual cases, however, victims are lucky and there is a cavity in front of their face through which they can breathe. Under these conditions, winter sports enthusiasts were rescued alive even after a few hours. (sda/dpa)