Major operation in Tyrol

Avalanche on the Nordkette: several people are probably buried

According to the control center, the group was found. Mountain rescuers have ascertained whether anyone is under the masses of snow. (archive picture)

(Bild: zoom.tirol)

There was a major avalanche in Innsbruck on Wednesday morning. A large dust avalanche broke loose in the Taubental area on the Nordkette. According to initial reports, a group of ten people were in this area.

According to the Tyrol control center, seven people were probably in the area at the time of the avalanche in the so-called "Direttissima" at around 2200 meters above sea level. "There was a dust avalanche, but it was not initially clear how many of these people were buried," said the Tyrol control center. Based on the initial report, the emergency services assumed that up to ten people were trapped.

A short time later, a second avalanche with a buried victim is said to have occurred in this area. "It turned out to be the same avalanche."

It seems that no one is buried.

Leitstelle Tirol

All-clear for group, one injured person
According to the control center, the group was found a short time later. "We are currently investigating whether anyone is still under the avalanche," they said shortly after the descent. A little later, the all-clear was given: "It seems that no one is buried." However, this could only be said with certainty after further investigations. The operation ended shortly before 11 am. According to the police, the avalanche was probably triggered by two skiers.

In the end, three people were swept away and partially buried. One person reported minor injuries to the chest and knees.

Several rescue helicopters as well as the "Libelle Tirol", numerous mountain rescuers from Innsbruck and Hall, avalanche dogs and mountain rescue doctors were deployed.

Considerable avalanche danger
According to the avalanche warning service of the state of Tyrol, this is at "danger level 3 - considerable". "The large amount of fresh snow and the extensive accumulations of drift snow are prone to disruption above the tree line," it says. Even individual winter sports enthusiasts can therefore trigger avalanches, some of which can be dangerously large.

The danger spots are sometimes difficult to recognize. Avalanches can occasionally tear through layers of the snow cover close to the ground. Numerous small and medium-sized loose snow avalanches are also to be expected on steep slopes exposed to the sun.