Overview

• The hikers were an experienced Austrian trio comprising a 62-year-old man, his 60-year-old brother and the brother’s 60-year-old wife.
• After summiting Mittagspitze around midday on Sunday, they alerted relatives to a sudden storm before attempting to descend.
• A joint search by police, mountain rescue teams and the Christophorus 5 emergency helicopter was launched when the group failed to return.
• The hikers were found unresponsive on a marked trail at approximately 2268 meters, with a district medical officer ruling the deaths as lightning strike victims.
• Authorities remind outdoor enthusiasts that fast-forming thunderstorms pose significant risks at high elevations and encourage early departures and constant weather monitoring.