Austria on high alert after series of deadly avalanches
Nine people have died following a wave of avalanches in a popular skiing region of Austria. Between Friday and Sunday, more than 100 avalanches have hit the western region of Tyrol, prompting the country’s danger level to be raised. Local authorities said the situation was “unprecedented”, and warned there could be more avalanches to come. There were also two deaths in neighbouring Switzerland, and many people needed to be rescued. With further snowfall and strong winds predicted in Tyrol, Austria’s avalanche warning level, which has a scale from one to five, was increased to level four, meaning “very large avalanches are likely”.
Of the nine people who died in Austria, eight of them were reported in Tyrol, which is known for its Alpine mountain landscapes and ski resorts. On Friday, four Swedish skiers and their mountain guide were killed near the Ischgl ski resort on the Swiss border. The group had gone skiing off-piste when they were swept away by an avalanche. According to emergency services, only one member of the group survived after he managed to call for help and was airlifted out by helicopter.(BBC)…[+]