Avalanche in South Tyrol: massive rescue operation, two dead and about ten skiers involved

A major rescue operation is underway following the detachment of an avalanche on the Tallone Grande, in the Val Ridanna. Five helicopters from South Tyrol and Austrian Tyrol have been deployed to the scene. The provisional toll of the avalanche is reported to be two dead and one seriously injured.

Two ski mountaineers have been recovered dead from the snow masses, while another has been transported by the Austrian rescue helicopter Christophorus to the university hospital in Innsbruck. A total of six helicopters (three Pelikan, the Aiut Alpin, and the Guardia di Finanza from South Tyrol, and Christophorus from Austria) and around eighty rescuers from the entire Upper Isarco Valley have responded to the scene. 

After the avalanche detachment, shortly before noon, the hospitals in Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone, and Innsbruck in Austria were alerted. The availability of intensive care beds and Ecmo treatments, which provide extracorporeal life support, was verified.