A series of deadly avalanches has gripped the European Alps, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread disruption to travel. On Monday, a train derailed in Switzerland after striking a snow slide, injuring five people near Goppenstein, as authorities grapple with exceptionally high avalanche risks across the region.
The incidents follow a particularly dangerous week in the Alps, with avalanche alerts reaching the highest level – a 5, indicating the possibility of “numerous very large and extremely large natural avalanches.” The unstable conditions, created by recent heavy snowfall and strong winds, have prompted evacuations and road closures around Mont Blanc and other mountainous areas.
Tragically, the recent storms have already claimed lives. On Friday, three skiers, including two British nationals, were killed in an avalanche in Val d’Isère, southeastern France. According to the Albertville prosecutor, Benoît Bachelet, the ski instructor accompanying the group tested negative for drugs and alcohol, and another Briton sustained minor injuries. A French national skiing alone also died in a separate avalanche incident.
Further south, on Sunday, two skiers lost their lives in an avalanche in the Couloir Vesses, a popular off-piste route near Courmayeur, Italy. This incident adds to a grim tally, with Alpine Rescue reporting a record 13 deaths of off-piste skiers, climbers, and hikers in the Italian mountains during the week ending February 8th, with 10 of those fatalities attributed to avalanches. Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, is at the center of the hazardous conditions.
Unstable Snowpack Fuels Avalanche Risk
Experts attribute the heightened danger to a combination of factors. Recent heavy snowfall, coupled with strong winds, has created unstable layers within the snowpack. “Under such conditions, the passage of a single skier, or natural overloading from the weight of snow, can be sufficient to trigger an avalanche,” explained Federico Catania, a spokesperson for Italy’s Alpine Rescue Corps.
Luc Nicolino, slopes manager at the resort of La Plagne, described the snow conditions as “complicated” and “unstable,” likening it to a “mille-feuille with many hidden, fragile layers,” according to Agence France-Presse. These conditions were exacerbated by Storm Nils, which deposited between 60cm and 100cm of snow across the Alps last week, with an additional 40-50cm predicted in some areas on Monday.
Skier Shares Harrowing Experience
The perilous conditions were underscored by a harrowing account shared on Instagram by Daniel Matthews, an adventure skier who was buried for eight minutes after triggering an avalanche in Tignes, France. Matthews described making a “very bad decision” to ski a couloir despite clear warning signs. He recounted being thrown around “like a washing machine” after the slope collapsed, and emphasized the importance of heeding avalanche safety warnings.
“I didn’t follow the signs that day that were clearly there! and I paid for it. The only person to blame is myself,” Matthews wrote.
Swiss Train Derailment
The avalanche danger isn’t limited to off-piste areas. On Monday, a train derailed near Goppenstein, Switzerland, after being struck by a snow slide. Swiss police reported that five people were injured in the incident. The extent of the injuries has not been released.
Authorities are urging extreme caution in the Alps, advising skiers and mountaineers to avoid all but open and unthreatened slopes under the current Grade 5 avalanche risk conditions. The situation remains fluid, and further snowfall is expected in the coming days, potentially exacerbating the already dangerous conditions.
The ongoing avalanche threat highlights the inherent risks of winter mountain environments and the importance of preparedness and adherence to safety guidelines. As conditions evolve, continued monitoring and vigilance will be crucial to mitigating further tragedies.
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