/

/

Four people buried: Ski group caught in Austrian avalanche

Four people buried
Ski group caught in Austrian avalanche

L - Helicopter at the site of an avalanche accident. R - Temperature map of the Tyrol, Austria area.

Rescue teams arrived at the scene by helicopter following an avalanche in Tyrol, Austria, where temperatures were well above zero.

- © APA

A total of four people were buried in an avalanche in Tyrol, Austria on Thursday while ascending the Ötztal Alps towards an Alpine mountain hut.

Three winter sports enthusiasts lost their lives while one other was injured in the incident, all four members were part of a group of ski tourists visiting from the Netherlands.

The avalanche struck just before 11:00 am local time, as the group were ascending the Ötztal Alps towards the Martin-Busch-Hütte, some 2,501 metres above sea level.

Rescue teams arrived via helicopter to the site, with initial reports suggesting around 18 people were trapped.

Avalanche prone

The current Martin-Busch-Hütte is the second hut in this location, its predecessor was destroyed by an avalanche in 1961.

Fortunately, many of the group were not in the area. In total, the ski group consisted of 17 skiers with four mountain guides.

At the time of the avalanche, the official risk was deemed as "moderate". This is the second-lowest level in a five tier warning system.

Video: Deadly avalanche in Switzerlandlast week

Weather & Radar editorial team

More on the topic

UK and Ireland temperature map dated Thu 26.03 showing widespread low values around −1 to 2 °C, with colder air across Scotland and a blue thermometer icon indicating chilly conditions.

Wednesday 25 March 2026

Back to freezing

Wintry feel to Thursday morning

Map showing Cyclone Narelle off the coast of Western Australia. Strong winds of over 140 km/h near Carnarvon. The colours indicate the intensity and extent of the storm.

Friday 27 March 2026

Narelle continues to rage

Cyclone on Australia’s west coast

Split image showing a colourful sunset sky on the left and a faint rainbow over houses on the right.

Sunday 22 March 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Pleasant to unsettled spring views

All weather news

This might also interest you

UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.

Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend

plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.

Sunday 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week

Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.

Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend