Search operation in Telfs: missing mountaineer found dead

Search operation in Telfs: missing mountaineer found dead

Late on Friday afternoon, a lifeless person was discovered during the search for a missing mountaineer in Tyrol. The 21-year-old German had been missing in the Hohe Munde region near Telfs since Thursday. The search was complicated by adverse weather conditions including snow, fog and strong winds, making rescue by a police helicopter impossible until Saturday.

The young man set off from the “Rauthhütte” in Telfs on Thursday with a fellow countryman to climb the summit. His companion gave up the climb when weather conditions deteriorated. However, the 21-year-old continued on his way and reached the summit around 3:40 p.m. Shortly afterwards, he sent a voice mail to his friend in the valley with an urgent request to make an emergency call. This news triggered a large-scale search operation.

Search operation under difficult conditions

The first mountain rescuers who were dispatched to the impassable terrain on Thursday were only able to give up around 9 p.m. after grazing the area in vain. Due to poor visibility and darkness, a safe search was no longer possible. On Friday, the emergency services resumed the search based on clear instructions from the voice mail. Nevertheless, the discovery of the body was ultimately only possible 100 to 150 meters away from the location of the mountain rescuers, who could not get any closer for safety reasons due to the risk of falling.

Now it remains to be seen whether the body is actually that of the 21-year-old being sought, as official confirmation from the police is still pending. This is a tragic event right in the heart of the Tyrolean mountains that highlights the current challenges and dangers of mountaineering.

For more information about this incident, see the current reporting on www.puls24.at.