Avalanche claims skier’s life in central Switzerland
Some areas of Switzerland saw up to 60cms of fresh snow fall on Sunday.
Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott
A skier has died in central Switzerland after being caught up in an avalanche. The accident comes a day after the authorities had issued elevated avalanche warnings for some areas of the country, following heavy snowfall.
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The 23-year-old victim died on the scene near the Titlis mountain, despite being found by rescue workers and receiving resuscitation treatment. Two other skiers, out of a party of five, were also hit by the avalanche but managed to free themselves without serious injury.
The group was skiing off-piste when the avalanche struck at around 10.15am. An investigation into what triggered the avalanche is ongoing.
Heavy snowfall over the weekend – up to 60cms in some areas on Sunday – has disrupted rail and road traffic in southern and southeastern Switzerland.
According to SRF Meteo – the Swiss public broadcaster’s weather service – there is an elevated avalanche threat throughout northern Ticino, including Centovalli, and in the southern valleys of Graubünden and the Upper Engadine. In these regions, it’s a Level 4 on the five-part danger scale.
From the southern Valais to the eastern Bernese Oberland to Alpstein and in the remaining areas of Graubünden, it’s danger Level 3, reported SRF Meteo on Sunday.
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