Tragic Avalanches Claim Five Lives in the Austrian Alps

Sun Jan 18 2026 21:52:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating series of avalanches in the Austrian Alps has led to the deaths of five off-piste skiers, highlighting the dangers of skiing during severe weather conditions.

Five skiers lost their lives in the Austrian Alps due to two avalanches caused by recent heavy snowfall. The fatalities occurred in the Pongau region near Salzburg, where rescue services have been working under challenging conditions. Authorities have urged caution as the avalanche threat remains high, with ongoing incidents recorded across the Alps.

Five off-piste skiers have died following two avalanches in the Austrian Alps after significant snowfall blanketed the region. The incidents occurred in the Pongau area near Salzburg, a hotspot for winter sports enthusiasts.

The first avalanche hit a group of seven skiers, leading to the tragic deaths of four individuals while one other sustained serious injuries. Shortly before this, another avalanche had buried a female skier in nearby open alpine terrain.

Rescue teams were alerted around 14:00 local time, but despite their efforts, they could only recover the deceased and assist the injured. Gerhard Kremser, head of the Pongau mountain rescue service, expressed his condolences, noting the severity of the current avalanche risks.

In the past week, the Alps have witnessed several fatal incidents, with a teenage boy killed in Bad Gastein and another skier succumbing to an avalanche in Tyrolean resort Weerberg.

Rescue personnel encountered additional avalanches later in the day; fortunately, there were no further casualties. As frigid temperatures and unstable snowpack persist, experts warn that conditions remain perilous for skiers and snowboarders alike.

In neighboring countries, incidents have also been reported, including the tragic death of a German man in Switzerland and six fatalities from various avalanches in France last weekend.