Overview

• Karl Josef Ilmer, 67, and his son Martin Gufler, 25, both residents of San Martino in Passiria, slipped from a 30–40 metre drop and tumbled down a talus slope during their descent on August 11.
• Worried family members alerted authorities late on August 11 when the pair failed to return from their planned hike, triggering an overnight search by Soccorso alpino della Val Passiria, SAGF teams and Guardia di Finanza aircraft.
• Rescuers located the bodies at around 2 a.m. on August 12 and recovered them by helicopter the following morning.
• Investigators say the hikers’ decision to leave the marked trail for a shortcut was likely a key factor in the fatal accident.
• The tragedy follows several mountain and river fatalities in Alto Adige this summer and has prompted calls for enhanced trail safety measures and improved multi-agency coordination.