Bolzano, November 2 — An avalanche on Cima Vertana in Italy’s Ortler mountain range claimed the lives of five German climbers over the weekend, including a father and his teenage daughter, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The group had set out from the village of Solda on Saturday to climb the 3,500-metre peak when a massive avalanche tore through the route, carrying away members of two rope-linked teams.
Rescue operations began immediately, with helicopters and alpine search units combing the slopes. The bodies of three climbers — two men and a woman — were found on Saturday. Search efforts continued into the night, leading to the recovery of the father and daughter on Sunday morning.
Two other members of the group managed to escape and alert authorities. “They were extremely lucky to survive,” said an official with the alpine rescue service. “The avalanche came with great force and covered a wide area.”
The Ortler Alps, near Italy’s border with Switzerland, are a renowned but hazardous region for climbers, particularly during early winter when melting and refreezing snow make the terrain unpredictable.
Local authorities urged caution, noting that fluctuating temperatures and fresh snowfall have heightened avalanche risks across the area.
