Skiers perish in collision at Dolomites mountain range
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In an unfortunate turn of events, two skiers, an Italian woman and an Ecuadorian man living in northern Italy, have lost their lives after being buried in an avalanche in the Dolomites last Sunday. As reported by the Milan daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera," they succumbed to their injuries late Monday evening in the hospital. A 51-year-old Italian man managed to escape with only light injuries.
The group of four were touring at 2,300 meters above sea level on the western slope of the Passo Forcella Giau near the Italian winter sports center of Cortina d'Ampezzo. One member of the group was able to alert rescuers, initiate the search, and even free the 51-year-old from the snow themselves. However, the rescue effort was challenging, as both deceased individuals were deeply buried in the snow.
The female victim, buried three meters deep, was eventually found by a search dog, transported by helicopter to a hospital in Treviso, and subsequently pronounced dead that same evening. The Ecuadorian man met his fate in a hospital in Mestre near Venice.
The "Corriere della Sera" reported that the region faced a "pronounced" avalanche risk due to fresh snowfall and warmer temperatures.
Other incidents occurred over the weekend. In the Susatal near Turin, four skiers were involved in separate avalanches. A young man suffered severe leg injuries, while two hikers in the Lagorai mountain range injured their legs.
Though no specific avalanche incidents in the Italian Alps over the weekend were found in the search results, it's crucial to remember that avalanches pose a significant threat in high mountain areas, especially after heavy snowfall, temperature increases, or seismic activity.
Stay safe by:
- Equipping yourself with essential avalanche safety gear such as transceivers, shovels, and probes
- Joining guided tours with qualified mountain guides to minimize risks
- Assessing terrain, avoiding steep slopes, gullies, and bowls, especially above 1800 meters
- Keeping updated with local weather and avalanche forecasts to steer clear of risky areas
- Properly training and using the right equipment for off-piste skiing or snowboarding
In the tragic incident in the Dolomites, two skiers, the Italian woman and the Ecuadorian man, lost their lives buried in an avalanche, as reported by 'Corriere della Sera'. Despite the 51-year-old Italian man managing to escape with light injuries, both deceased individuals were deeply buried, making the rescue effort challenging. The female victim, buried three meters deep, was found by a search dog and transported to a hospital in Treviso, where she later died. The Ecuadorian man passed away in a hospital in Mestre near Venice.
