Avalanche hits Austrian ski resort with multiple people buried alive

A major rescue operation is underway at one of Austria’s largest ski resorts after multiple skiers were swept away in a huge avalanche on Thursday, November 27.

The avalanche struck at around 9.30am this morning in open terrain near the Daunscharte pass, an area outside the marked pistes, on the Stubai Glacier, according to officials. 

Several skiers were on this off-piste area, which police have said triggered the avalanche. A lower section of piste 9 at the resort was also hit by the avalanche and closed immediately.

Local media reported that at least nine people who were partially buried in snow have since been rescued, with three of them being airlifted to hospital.

The ski resort operator told local media that several avalanche airbags, equipment that can help wearers float to the top of a snowdrift, were seen being deployed

A large-scale search and rescue operation is now underway to locate further victims of the snowslide, which happened as several groups of skiers were on the pass. 

Local media reported that around 250 people were involved in the search efforts.  

At least two medical helicopters were sent to the scene to assist the injured skiers, while a police chopper joined them to allow authorities to investigate the matter.

Mountain rescue teams from the nearby towns of Neustift im Stubai and Sölden were also sent to assist, along with search dogs.

These rescuers are also being supported by soldiers from Germany, as well as mountain rescue teams from Poland. 

The area saw heavy snowfall in recent days, as well as high winds. This combination resulted in more than two feet of fresh snow sat atop the area.