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dpa
Munich/Vienna
Snow continued to plague the regions surrounding the European Alps on Sunday, with five deaths reported in
Austria and France as forecasts predicted another coating of snow.
Officials in Austria reported that three Germans died - and one was missing - after they went skiing near the city of Lech. They were struck by an avalanche after they went on a route that had been put off limits due to such dangers. Authorities began the search after the wife of one of the men placed a telephone call late Saturday.
They were still searching for a fourth man, a 28-year-old from southern Germany. The deceased were identified as men, aged 32, 36 and 57, also from southern Germany. The dead had suffered multiple injuries and showed signs of suffocation, despite deploying rescue air bags.
The search for the fourth man had to be broken off Sunday due to the risk of more avalanches. “It’s questionable whether it’s responsible to have the search due to the heightened risk of avalanches,” said one police spokesman.
In France, two ski slope employees died were trying while using explosives as part of a common procedure to minimize the chance of avalanches. The two men died when the blast went off unexpectedly, local officials told dpa. The official said the region where the two died - near Morillon - is currently facing heightened risk levels of avalanches. He said the two deceased had experience using explosives for such operations.
Meanwhile, German police in the state of Bavaria reported multiple accidents and street blockages thanks to the snow. However, only one injury was reported amid the 24 recent accidents reported in the Lower Bavaria region.
There were also multiple streets blocked due to fallen trees. Tree-cutting crews were not able to move them because there was danger that they could be struck by other trees at risk of falling.
About 1,300 residents and visitors to the southern German town of Balderschwang found themselves cut off from the world due to avalanche risk. One avalanche blocked part of a key road and authorities cancelled all traffic in and out of the town for fear of further avalanches.
But officials said there were enough supplies on hand and that the power was still working. “An evacuation is not currently planned,” read a statement. However, a nearby ski area, Grasgehren, was cleared, with 40 people taken to safety.
German soldiers were called out across the region to help with snow
clearing operations. Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen came out Sunday to watch their progress. “The Bundeswehr will be here as long as it’s needed,” she said.
Munich/Vienna
Snow continued to plague the regions surrounding the European Alps on Sunday, with five deaths reported in
Austria and France as forecasts predicted another coating of snow.
Officials in Austria reported that three Germans died - and one was missing - after they went skiing near the city of Lech. They were struck by an avalanche after they went on a route that had been put off limits due to such dangers. Authorities began the search after the wife of one of the men placed a telephone call late Saturday.
They were still searching for a fourth man, a 28-year-old from southern Germany. The deceased were identified as men, aged 32, 36 and 57, also from southern Germany. The dead had suffered multiple injuries and showed signs of suffocation, despite deploying rescue air bags.
The search for the fourth man had to be broken off Sunday due to the risk of more avalanches. “It’s questionable whether it’s responsible to have the search due to the heightened risk of avalanches,” said one police spokesman.
In France, two ski slope employees died were trying while using explosives as part of a common procedure to minimize the chance of avalanches. The two men died when the blast went off unexpectedly, local officials told dpa. The official said the region where the two died - near Morillon - is currently facing heightened risk levels of avalanches. He said the two deceased had experience using explosives for such operations.
Meanwhile, German police in the state of Bavaria reported multiple accidents and street blockages thanks to the snow. However, only one injury was reported amid the 24 recent accidents reported in the Lower Bavaria region.
There were also multiple streets blocked due to fallen trees. Tree-cutting crews were not able to move them because there was danger that they could be struck by other trees at risk of falling.
About 1,300 residents and visitors to the southern German town of Balderschwang found themselves cut off from the world due to avalanche risk. One avalanche blocked part of a key road and authorities cancelled all traffic in and out of the town for fear of further avalanches.
But officials said there were enough supplies on hand and that the power was still working. “An evacuation is not currently planned,” read a statement. However, a nearby ski area, Grasgehren, was cleared, with 40 people taken to safety.
German soldiers were called out across the region to help with snow
clearing operations. Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen came out Sunday to watch their progress. “The Bundeswehr will be here as long as it’s needed,” she said.
