Search aborted

Operation after avalanche: One person probably buried

One hiker from Germany was buried. The Libelle Tirol searched for the victim with the RECCO device.

(Bild: zoom.tirol)

An avalanche occurred on Saturday morning in the area of the Binsalm in the Karwendel in the municipality of Vomp. According to initial information, around 30 people may have been in the area, initially a hiker was caught in the masses of snow and buried. A secondary avalanche caught a mountain rescuer.

Shortly before 11 a.m., an avalanche occurred in the Karwendel in the municipality of Vomp (district of Schwaz). According to the Tyrol control center, the accident occurred on the summer trail between the Gasthof Eng and the Binsalm (around 1500 m). A hiking group of around 30 people was on their way from the Binsalm to the Eng, initially one person, a 70-year-old German, was buried. The buried person had no avalanche transceiver with him. 

Rescue teams from Austria and Bavaria
The operation was running at full speed. The "Libelle Tirol" initially had to turn back due to the bad weather on its approach from Tyrol. The Achenkirch mountain rescue team and the Bavarian mountain rescue team from Lenggries were alerted. Later, Bavarian avalanche search dogs were also alerted. 

Secondary avalanche buries mountain rescuers
The rescue teams from Lenggries and Murnau subsequently reached the scene of the accident by land and with the support of two German helicopters - Edelweiß 2 and Christoph Murnau. However, the operation proved to be difficult and extremely dangerous due to the risk of avalanches. And indeed, a mountain rescuer was partially buried by an avalanche. The victim was rescued - according to the control center, the mountain rescuer was flown out slightly injured.

Libelle Tirol with RECCO search
In the meantime, the weather improved and the Libelle Tirol was able to get through to the Binsalm. The RECCO search device was used to narrow down the search area. A signal was actually received from the victim.

Search aborted due to avalanche danger
However, the search had to be called off at around 3 p.m. due to the high risk of avalanches. The other 29 hikers had previously managed to get out of the dangerous area and into the valley. The Alpine Police will decide whether and when to continue the search on Sunday.