Five mountaineers die in an avalanche accident – ​​mourning in South Tyrol!

Five mountaineers die in an avalanche accident – ​​mourning in South Tyrol!

On November 1, 2025, a tragic avalanche accident occurred in the Ortler area in South Tyrol, in which five German mountaineers lost their lives. The avalanche occurred on Saturday afternoon below the Vertainspitze while the climbers were trying to climb the north face. This route is considered a “high alpine ice tour” and requires comprehensive ice climbing equipment.

The bodies of two missing winter sports enthusiasts, a father and his 17-year-old daughter, were recovered on Sunday morning. Three other victims from another group had previously been rescued. This group consisted of two men aged 30 and 50 and a 30-year-old woman. All three were caught in the avalanche.

Deployment of rescue workers

The search for the missing people had to be called off on Saturday evening due to darkness. The search resumed on Sunday morning with the support of around 25 mountain rescuers who were flown by helicopter near the scene of the accident under difficult weather conditions. Access to the scene of the accident required a walk of around two hours.

The emergency services worked with thermal imaging cameras and drones to locate the missing mountaineers. It is assumed that the missing people fell around 200 meters into the depths. The mountain rescue service in Sulden did not assess the danger of avalanches on the day of the accident as particularly high, but suspected that strong drifts and newly fallen snow that was not sufficiently bonded to the ground led to the fatal avalanche event.

Popular with German holidaymakers

The South Tyrol region, known for its impressive mountain landscapes, attracts numerous German holidaymakers who enjoy climbing and mountaineering here. The Vertainspitze is particularly popular because it offers a comprehensive panoramic view on all sides. Despite the avalanche danger being assessed as moderate, many mountaineers often feel safe in such high alpine areas.

The horrific incidents serve as a reminder of the dangers associated with mountains, particularly difficult weather and snow conditions. The Alpine Club points out that thorough preparation and awareness of the current avalanche situation are essential components for safe mountaineering. Further information and current warnings can be found on the Alpine Club website.

The impact of these tragic events will surely reverberate throughout the mountaineering community and beyond. While the mourning for the deceased mountaineers continues in South Tyrol, discussions about safety and risk management in mountain sports are also being initiated.

For more in-depth information on avalanches and mountain weather conditions, see Alpenverein.

For further details about the events, see Dolomitenstadt.

In addition, Tagesschau offers further insights into the incident and the background to the entire situation.