d hikers feared trapped beneath dense snow. The Austrian Alpine Police confirmed that several victims were backcountry skiers who had ventured off marked routes despite elevated danger warnings. “The avalanche risk had been clearly communicated as high to very high,” a spokesperson said. Urging winter sports enthusiasts to strictly follow safety advisories. Local officials declared heightened alert levels in vulnerable districts, temporarily closing certain ski routes and mountain roads as a precaution. Rescue operations were complicated by unstable snow layers and reduced visibility in higher elevations. Tyrol Governor representatives expressed condolences to the victims families and praised first responders for their rapid mobilization under hazardous conditions. Hospitals in Innsbruck reported treating survivors for fractures, hypothermia and trauma related injuries. Meteorologists warned that the snowpack remains unstable in several alpine zones with additional snowfall forecast in the coming days. The Austrian Avalanche Warning Service indicated that danger levels could remain elevated, particularly on steep slopes exposed to wind accumulation. Austria’s alpine economy heavily reliant on winter tourism, faces periodic challenges from extreme weather events. While avalanches are a known seasonal hazard, experts note that fluctuating temperature patterns in recent years have contributed to more unpredictable snow conditions. Authorities reiterated that recreational skiers and climbers should carry proper safety equipment including transceivers, probes and airbags along with consult daily avalanche bulletins before entering off-piste terrain. As recovery efforts continue, communities across the region are mourning lives lost in what officials described as one of the most severe avalanche episodes of the winter season. Source: The Guardian