Tragic hiking accident: woman dies in a fall in Friuli!

Tragic hiking accident: woman dies in a fall in Friuli!

On September 21, 2025, a tragic accident occurred in Friuli in which two women were injured while hiking on an unsecured section of a circular path around a lake. Both women were reportedly wearing unsuitable, slippery-soled shoes, which may have been a contributing factor in the crash. The mountain rescue was quickly coordinated after an emergency call and various emergency services were deployed, including rescue helicopters, ambulances and fire departments.

The accident site is known for frequent accidents, which adds to the tragedy. While one woman was rescued in a stretcher and flown to Tolmezzo hospital, the second woman was only diagnosed dead by an emergency doctor despite quick help. Her body was returned to the scene of the accident to be recovered after being released by the public prosecutor's office. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper equipment when hiking in the mountains.

Safety risks when hiking

This information provides an insight into the dangers that can occur when hiking in the mountains. According to a study by the German Alpine Association (DAV), most accidents involving DAV members occur while hiking in the mountains, which corresponds to around a third of all reports in the mountain accident statistics. The term “mountain hiking” includes walking on marked paths up to difficulty level T5 and via ferrata passages with difficulty level A.

In an online survey that included 1,235 hikers with an average of 20 years of experience, various distress situations were identified. The most common reasons for accidents were tripping, slipping or twisting, reported by 46% of respondents. It also showed that 82% can become dangerous in emergency situations such as slipping or stumbling. The study highlights the importance of awareness of surefootedness and proper equipment.

Prevention measures

In order to minimize accidents while hiking, preventative measures are of great importance. Between 2018 and 2022, tripping, slipping and falling accidents accounted for an average of 28.8% of total work accidents reported by accident insurance companies. Companies are advised to analyze the causes of such accidents and define protective measures according to the TOP principle: technical, organizational and personal measures.

• Technische Maßnahmen: Rutschhemmende Bodenbeläge, beseitigen von Stolperfallen.
• Organisatorische Maßnahmen: Regelmäßige Unterweisungen und Betriebsanweisungen.
• Persönliche Maßnahmen: Bereitstellung von sicherem Schuhwerk und Empfehlungen für geschlossenes, rutschhemmendes Schuhwerk.

Given the available information about the accident in Friuli and general safety statistics, it is clear that heavy and inadequate equipment in dangerous terrain significantly increases the risk of accidents. Adhering to recommended safety standards could save more lives and prevent accidents, allowing hikers to enjoy the mountains more safely.

The tragic events of September 21, 2025 highlight the need to take the risk of mountain hiking seriously. The findings from the studies and events should serve as a basis for future security measures.

For more information about the events in Friuli, please visit Small newspaper. For more on hiking safety research, check out Top one over. You can find out more about accident statistics and prevention measures on the website German Alpine Club.