An off-trail avalanche killed two skiers and injured one other on Sunday on the Italian facet of the Mont Blanc massif, close to the border between France and Switzerland, officers mentioned.
At the very least three skiers have been caught up in Sunday morning’s avalanche within the Couloir Vesses, a widely known freeride route in Courmayeur, within the higher Val Veny, in line with Italy’s Alpine Rescue.
One of many victims was taken to a hospital in critical situation however later died, the company mentioned. Fifteen rescuers, three canine models and two helicopters took half within the search and rescue efforts.
Courmayeur, a city with about 2,900 inhabitants, is a few 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Milan, one of many venues internet hosting the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
One other particular person was partially buried by an avalanche in Trentino, however was rescued by his companions, authorities reported Sunday.
A record 13 backcountry skiers, climbers and hikers died within the Italian mountains over every week ending Feb. 8, Alpine Rescue mentioned final Monday, together with 10 in avalanches triggered by an exceptionally unstable snowpack.
Recent snowfall throughout current storms and wind-swept snowcaps on weak inner layers have created particularly dangerous situations alongside your complete Alpine crescent bordering France, Switzerland and Austria, Alpine Rescue mentioned.
