A Large Avalanche Killed Six Skiers On Schneebiger Nock (aka Monte Nevoso) In The Italian Alps
South Tyrol, Italy – At approximately 11:15 on Saturday, March 12, 2016 a group of 15 ski tourers were caught in an avalanche while trying to summit Schneebiger Nock, also known as Monte Nevoso in Italian, at an elevation of 3358 meters in South Tyrol Ahrntal in northeastern Italy near the Austrian border.
At least six skiers were killed. Five of the avalanche victims were Italian and one was Austrian – one of the victims was only 16-years-old. Another was injured and eight others escaped unharmed. Rescuers consist of three helicopters, rescue teams, and dog teams. Rescue was difficult as it was challenging to fly helicopters above 3000 meters.
News reports say the avalanche was 300 meters long by 150 meters wide. It occurred at approximately 3000 meters on a south face. The avalanche danger at the time was 2 out of 5.
Schneebiger Nock / Monte Nevoso is 3358 meters tall. It is the second highest mountain in the Rieserferner Group in the western High Tauern range of the Italian Alps. It is located in the province of South Tyrol in the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park.
Details are still being presented. We will try to update this post as more information becomes available.
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