Five off-piste skiers have died following two separate avalanches in the Austrian Alps' Pongau area, near Salzburg, after the region experienced heavy snowfall. The incidents on Saturday resulted in four fatalities from one group and a single death in a separate event earlier the same day.
Avalanche Incidents
On Saturday, two distinct avalanches occurred in the Pongau region, located near Salzburg, leading to the deaths of five off-piste skiers. These incidents followed a period of heavy snowfall in the area.
In one of the avalanches, a group of seven skiers was impacted. Four individuals from this group were reported deceased, and one sustained serious injuries, according to local mountain rescue officials.
Earlier on the same day, a separate avalanche took place in the same vicinity, claiming the life of an additional skier.
Regional Context
These fatalities contribute to a series of deaths that have been recorded in the Alps over the past week. The incidents are attributed to prevailing adverse conditions in the region.