Three mountaineers tragically lost their lives in a devastating incident when they were swept away by a large avalanche during their expedition on Mount Tosc in the Slovenian Alps.
The three climbers from Croatia met their demise as they were engulfed by cascading snow on Sunday, October 5, while ascending the peak situated in the Julian Alps in north-western Slovenia. Despite severe weather conditions, the trio, part of a group of seven friends seeking shelter near the mountain’s summit, opted to descend.
Miha Arh, leading the rescue efforts, confirmed the unfortunate deaths of the climbers due to an avalanche, with their bodies discovered in a ravine 350 meters away from the avalanche site.
Following the discovery of the first body on Sunday evening, search operations were temporarily halted due to the risk of additional avalanches endangering rescue teams. Subsequently, improved weather conditions on Monday permitted helicopters to conduct search operations for the missing climbers.
Mount Tosc is experiencing notably unstable weather conditions with a cold air mass, early snowfall, and strong winds. Statistics from the national mountain rescue association indicate an annual average of around twenty fatalities in such extreme mountain conditions.
While the Julian Alps are renowned for their scenic beauty and challenging climbs, this recent tragedy underscores the potential dangers even for experienced climbers.
Authorities in Slovenia have reiterated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and advised against mountain ascents during high avalanche risk periods. The region currently holds a Level 3 avalanche warning on the European risk scale.
In a separate incident, rescue teams have successfully reached and evacuated 200 stranded hikers at an altitude of 16,000 feet on Mount Everest following a severe snowstorm that left hundreds marooned on the world’s highest peak. Rescuers have safely evacuated approximately 350 individuals after adverse weather conditions caused treacherous circumstances on the mountain from Friday to Saturday.
A hiker caught in the blizzard described the perilous situation faced by those trapped on the mountain before rescue operations commenced. Chen Geshuang recounted the extreme wetness, cold, and heightened risk of hypothermia experienced by the stranded trekkers, noting the unprecedented and sudden nature of the severe weather conditions encountered in October.