Austria
Four injured after avalanche accident – no missing
After an avalanche in the free ski area of Lech/Zürs, there was a large search for possible victims. photo
© Unknown/LECH ZÜRS TOURISMUS via APA/dpa
After a lot of fresh snow, the conditions for skiing on the Arlberg are excellent on Christmas Day. Until masses of snow loosen and rush to where skiers feel safe.
Four people were injured in the avalanche on the Arlberg in Austria, one of them seriously. According to the current state of knowledge, no one is missing, the state police in Vorarlberg said early Monday morning. Originally, the emergency services had assumed ten winter sports enthusiasts who could have been buried by the snow masses on the slopes on Sunday. The video of a ski guest suggested this conclusion.
According to the police, the search and rescue operation was stopped late Sunday evening. For security reasons, a search will be carried out this Monday for final clarification. At times, up to 200 people from various rescue organizations were deployed. With the help of powerful headlights, the avalanche cone on a slope below the 2700 meter high Trittkopf near Lech was illuminated.
According to the police, spring-like conditions prevailed on Sunday in the Arlberg ski area, which is popular because of its many slopes and snow reliability. At the same time, according to the avalanche warning service, the avalanche danger was considerable.