Overview
- The avalanche struck near Cima Vertana in the Ortler/Ortles mountains at about 4 p.m. local time while climbers were above 3,500 meters.
- Rescuers recovered three victims on Saturday and found the remaining two—a father and his 17-year-old daughter—on Sunday morning in the lower part of a gully.
- Two men survived, alerted authorities to the incident, and were airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano.
- Initial reports indicate the climbers were traveling independently in three groups, with officials questioning the late-afternoon timing of the ascent.
- Helicopters, drones, thermal teams, and avalanche dogs supported the operation, which was paused overnight due to fog before concluding as weather deteriorated at altitude.