Five German Mountaineers Die in Avalanche in Italy
2nd November 2025
Last modified on November 3rd, 2025
Three groups were hit by the avalanche as they ascended the Ortles range in the Sud Tirol in the Dolomites. The dead include a father and his 17-year-old daughter. UPDATED
The avalanche happened on the Fertains Spitze peak, 3,345m, as the groups were hit.
All three people in one group died as they were swept down the mountain.
They have been identified as 30-year-old man and woman, and a 50-year-old man.
There was a group of two including a father and daughter who died.
The condition of the surviving two men in the third group has not been released, and they were taken to a hospital in Bolzano by helicopter.
The bodies of the three people climbing together were recovered on Saturday before rescue efforts were called off due to safety conditions.
There was low visibility at dawn on Sunday so rescue helicopters were unable to takeoff.
Once conditions improved rescuers and avalanche dog units were airlifted to 2,600m before setting out on foot.
By late morning on Sunday the bodies of the two missing people – the father and daughter – were found.
The Solda Mountain Rescue Station with the support of neighboring Alpine Rescue Stations, the Guardia di Finanza mountain rescue service, the helicopter rescue service, and the valley firefighters were involved in the operation.
It follows heavy snow in the area.
The avalanche happened at 4pm local time and it is unclear why the climbers were still on their way up at this late hour.
The avalanche started as it was beginning to get dark.
It broke loose about 100m below the summit.
Authorities warned that rising temperatures in the area had made snow conditions unstable, increasing the risk of avalanches.
People are urged to pay close attention to weather and avalanche alerts and to avoid high-risk mountain terrain.
An investigation into the accident is underway.
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