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Austria: Fatal accidents on slopes on the rise, lack of snow in question

Austrian ski slopes have been the scene of several dramas since the season opener, with a black series of five deaths between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The lack of snow is one of the reasons for this excess mortality.

A lack of snow with tragic consequences. In Austria, thirteen people have died on the ski slopes since they opened on November 1, the newspaper reports. Alsace. In question, the lack of snow on the slopes since the beginning of the season and especially since the mild temperatures that settled in part of Europe at the end of December.

Five of the thirteen victims died in a single week, between December 25 and New Year’s Day: a 12-year-old Dutch girl died after colliding violently into a tree on December 25 in the Zillerta Valley and another from 47 years. A Belgian tourist died on December 27 in Sankt-Anton am Arlberg, a historic alpine ski town.

The next day, two 17-year-old German boys were found dead after falling on a slope in Kitzbühel and another Dutch skier died after falling on the Hintertux glacier on January 1.

More deaths than previous years

Thirteen deaths since the start of the season is double the average of recent years. While the total number of injuries has decreased slightly, the number of seriously injured is higher.

The authorities mention the lack of fresh snow on the edges of the track, which usually helps cushion possible falls.

Other reasons such as ice are also mentioned, again due to the mild temperatures because now it is rain that falls on the snow that persists on the ground and freezes. Last element that may help explain this excess mortality: the Austrian tracks have been very busy lately.

Author: glenn gillet
Source: BFM TV

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