Avalanches kill 8 skiers in Austria despite "clear and repeated warnings"
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- Three avalanches in Austria have killed eight skiers, with incidents occurring in Bad Hofgastein, Gastein Valley, and Pusterwald, highlighting the severe avalanche risk in the region.
- Rescue efforts involved helicopters, mountain rescue teams, Red Cross dog units, and crisis intervention teams, emphasizing the seriousness of the current avalanche situation.
- Recent avalanche fatalities have also occurred internationally, including deaths in Switzerland, France, and multiple incidents in the U.S. West, underscoring a global trend of hazardous snow conditions in early 2026.
- Austrian authorities have issued clear warnings about avalanche dangers, but the continued fatalities demonstrate the ongoing risks for skiers and snowmobilers in alpine areas.
