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Two Fatal Climbing Falls in Austria and Germany Under Probe for Gear Failure

Investigators are examining possible failures of mobile protection.

Overview

  • In Styria near Mariazell, a 42-year-old woman from Vienna died after a fall on a very demanding grade‑7 route on the Schönberg.
  • Her 53-year-old partner descended to assist but had no mobile reception and only triggered the rescue around 16:30; a police helicopter, alpine police and multiple mountain-rescue teams responded, and he received crisis-intervention care.
  • Styria police say a failure of several mobile securing devices cannot be ruled out and the accident remains under investigation.
  • Near Rathen in Saxon Switzerland, a 64-year-old climber fell about 15 meters on the Mönch when three self-placed slings ripped out roughly four meters below a bolt; Bergwacht arrived within seven minutes and resuscitation efforts with a helicopter doctor were unsuccessful.
  • Regional authorities and rescue services report this is at least the third fatal incident in the Elbsandsteingebirge on the German side this year, with the Bergwacht noting autumn is a high-activity period for callouts.