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Death drama on Schönberg: Climber (42) falls fatally!
A 42-year-old climber died tragically in an accident in Mariazell when her partner had to call for help due to a lack of cell phone reception.
Death drama on Schönberg: Climber (42) falls fatally!
On September 20, 2025, there was a tragic climbing accident in the Mariazell region, more precisely on Schönberg in the Bruck-Mürzzuschlag district. A 42-year-old Viennese woman suffered a fatal fall during a climbing tour, shocking the mountain sports community. The accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on the sixth pitch of a demanding climbing route with difficulty level 7. Her companion, a 53-year-old partner, was also present and immediately tried to provide first aid after witnessing the fall.
However, it turned out that there was no cell phone reception available in this remote area. As a result, the partner was forced to descend further in order to make an emergency call from there. The rescue workers were not alerted until around 4:30 p.m., around two hours after the fall. The delayed alarm meant that any help for the woman came too late when the emergency services arrived. Police are currently investigating and have not ruled out a failure of several mobile security devices, which adds to the tragic circumstances of the accident, which remains under investigation.
Emergency services on site
The rescue operation was extensive and multiple units were involved. In addition to the Alpine police, mountain rescue teams from Mariazell and a police helicopter were on duty. After the rescue, the partner was taken to the valley and looked after by the crisis intervention team because he was visibly affected by the traumatic experience.
The climb was known to be challenging; Nevertheless, accidents of this kind have reached worrying levels in recent weeks and months. For example, on September 15, 2025, a 77-year-old hiker from Germany fell fatally while hiking the Schwarzhorn saddle. Overall, there were several similar accidents in the first few days of September that require clarification regarding safety in mountain sports. These events make it clear that the dangers of climbing and mountaineering should not be underestimated, as Alpin.de reports.
The tragedy on Schönberg reminds us of the risks associated with climbing. Despite all the preparation, experience and careful planning, unforeseen events can lead to terrible consequences. The mountain sports community's thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased and hope that ongoing discussions about safety and prevention can prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
For further details, 5Min.at also reports comprehensively on the circumstances of the accident. The efforts of rescue workers in difficult-to-reach terrain illustrate the challenges they face.
The complications of alpine activities are a perennial issue in the mountains, and accident statistics show that expert support and safety training are becoming increasingly important in climbing tours.