Multiple avalanches occurred in the Alps region of Italy on Friday, January 2, resulting in 2 deaths and multiple injuries. Due to strong winds causing a whiteout phenomenon, helicopter rescue operations were hindered, forcing rescue teams to search on foot in extreme conditions. The avalanche risk in the area has been raised to a high “Level 4”.
At the start of the new year, the Piedmont region in northwest Italy has been hit hard by disasters.
In the Maira Valley, the first avalanche claimed 1 life and left 2 injured. With visibility close to zero and strong winds, helicopters were unable to land, prompting the Alpine rescue team to trek up from lower altitudes, forming lines in deep snow over 2 meters, using probes to manually search for survivors.
In another avalanche incident in Pragelato, a woman was buried under snow for approximately 15 minutes. She managed to create breathing space using her “Avalanche Airbag” carried with her, and successfully crawled out. Despite suffering a pelvic fracture and severe hypothermia, her strong will is waiting for evacuation.
On the same day, in the Veneto region of northeast Italy, a tragic incident similar to a slab avalanche occurred on the Vajo Gabene slope in the Small Dolomites.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, a well-equipped 50-year-old veteran ski mountaineering coach was caught in a large slab avalanche, pushed down a steep slope for hundreds of meters, sustaining fatal injuries. Despite the rescue helicopter reaching the scene, his life could not be saved.
Meteo.it, the Italian Meteorological Department, mentioned the recent heavy snowfall and strong winds have created extremely unstable snow conditions. The avalanche risk in the region has been officially raised to “Level 4: High”, indicating that even a skier’s weight could trigger large-scale collapses due to the fragile snow structure.
Local authorities strongly advise the public against engaging in off-piste skiing activities. Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta authorities warn that despite the high number of visitors during the New Year holiday period, the current weather conditions pose a significant threat to adventurers, emphasizing the importance of not straying from designated snow trails.