Two seasoned Austrian mountaineers and Alpine rescuers hailing from Villach, Austria, were tragically found dead in their quest to conquer Cima di Riofreddo in the Julian Alps of Italy. They were reported missing on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, after they failed to return home as scheduled. The Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Friuli Venezia Giulia, the emergency rescue service, reported in a Facebook post that the climbers were found the next morning at about 6,600 feet, still tethered to their climbing ropes hanging off the mountainside.
Rescue Operations Launched
After the missing persons’ report was filed, emergency services promptly initiated a search and rescue operation. The climbers’ vehicle found in a nearby parking lot confirmed their intent to ascend the peak. The bodies were located during the first helicopter mission, but safety concerns due to challenging terrain and severe weather conditions prevented their immediate retrieval. A second mission, involving additional rescuers and a helicopter technician, successfully recovered the bodies early Thursday morning.
Investigation of the Tragic Fall
Authorities are currently investigating the crash, considering several possibilities such as a human error or a rockslide. Weather conditions in the mountains can shift quickly, making climbing perilous even for the most seasoned climbers. Cima di Riofreddo, with an elevation of 8,225 feet, towering walls, and jagged ridges, lacks a defined path to the summit.
Recent Fatalities in the Alps
The demise of these climbers is the latest in a string of fatalities in the Alps, underscoring the inherent perils of mountain climbing in this region. In June, a professional skier and his partner fell to their deaths while climbing in the Italian Alps. In January, an avalanche near the Italy-Switzerland border claimed the lives of two Italian hikers. Moreover, in 2022, a substantial segment of an Alpine glacier detached and plummeted down a mountainside in Italy, killing at least nine hikers.
Other Emergencies on the Same Day
The day the bodies were recovered, the rescue service also attended to multiple other emergencies in the area. These included a hiker stranded on the Tenente Ferrante di Ruffano climbing route and another who needed help due to equipment issues on a rocky wall at the shoulder of the Bila Pec mountain.
Efforts to Increase Safety
While the investigation into the accident’s circumstances is ongoing, authorities are committed to improving safety measures to prevent similar events in the future. The mountaineering community urges respect for the unpredictable nature of the Alps and emphasizes the vital importance of thorough preparation and caution.
