A devastating avalanche in Italy’s Dolomite mountains has killed five German climbers, including a 17-year-old girl and her father, in one of the region’s deadliest mountain accidents this year.
The mountaineers were scaling Cima Vertana, also known as Vertainspitze, in the Ortler Alps when the snow mass struck around 16:00 local time on Saturday. According to Italy’s Alpine rescue service, Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico, the climbers were travelling in separate groups when the avalanche descended.
A group of three climbers “was fully swept away by the avalanche,” rescuers said. All three were found dead on Saturday evening before search operations were suspended due to darkness and safety concerns.
In a separate incident, the father and daughter, who were climbing together, were also caught in the avalanche. Their bodies were discovered the following morning after fog and low visibility initially prevented helicopters from taking off at first light.
Once weather conditions improved, rescue teams, supported by avalanche dog units, were airlifted to 2,600 metres and continued their search on foot. By late morning Sunday, both missing mountaineers were found dead, bringing the death toll to five.
The alarm had been raised by two survivors from another climbing group who managed to escape the deadly snow slide and contact emergency services. Their quick action triggered a large-scale rescue operation involving local mountain rescue units and volunteers.
Olaf Reinstadler, a spokesperson for the Sulden Mountain Rescue Service, told German media that the avalanche may have been triggered by recent snow drifts that had not bonded well with the icy layers beneath. He noted that although weather conditions appeared good, the timing of the climb may have contributed to the tragedy.
“Climbing tours in the Ortler Alps are very popular, but starting late in the afternoon is risky,” Reinstadler said. “The descent can take until nightfall, when the snow becomes less stable.”
Cima Vertana, rising to 3,545 metres (11,630 feet), is a well-known destination for experienced mountaineers. The route is challenging and requires technical expertise, especially during autumn when snow conditions can change rapidly.
The Italian rescue authorities shared an annotated image showing the avalanche’s downward path, labelled “valanga”—the Italian word for avalanche. The steep and icy terrain of the Ortler range made the recovery efforts particularly dangerous, forcing rescuers to proceed cautiously.
Saturday’s disaster has reignited concerns about late-season mountaineering in the Alps, where fluctuating temperatures and unstable snow layers increase avalanche risks. Experts have urged climbers to check daily avalanche forecasts and avoid high-altitude routes during the late afternoon when conditions can deteriorate quickly.
Authorities said all five bodies have been transported to the nearby village of Sulden, where identification procedures and family notifications are ongoing. The German consulate in Milan has been informed and is assisting local authorities.
The tragedy has left the mountain community in mourning, as tributes pour in for the victims who lost their lives pursuing their passion for climbing in the Italian Alps.
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