Avalanche Claims 2 Lives, Traps 25 Skiers on Italian Alps Near Austrian Border
An avalanche in South Tyrol, Italy, buried 25 skiers on Monte Tallone Grande near the Austrian border, killing two and injuring several others. Six helicopters and about 80 rescuers from CNSAS, the Alpine Association, police and firefighters conducted the operation around 11:40 a.m. local time. This season has seen a high number of avalanche fatalities (about 127 as of March 16), linked to an unstable snowpack from heavy snowfall; climate experts point to rising temperatures and stronger winds as drivers of snow instability.
