Avalanche Buries Skiers on Stubai Glacier; 9 Rescued

Several skiers and snowboarders were buried in an avalanche on the Stubai Glacier in the Austrian Alps on Thursday morning, prompting a large-scale rescue operation in the Tyrol region. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time in the off-piste Daunscharte pass, an area known for its hazards outside marked ski runs.

Emergency responders launched an immediate search involving about 250 personnel, including mountain rescue teams from nearby Neustift im Stubai and Sölden, search dogs, and multiple helicopters. Assistance also came from German soldiers and Polish mountain rescue teams who were already in the area. By midday, nine people had been pulled alive from the snow, with most suffering only minor injuries. Three of those rescued were airlifted to a hospital for treatment, though the extent of their conditions remained unclear at the time.

The avalanche, triggered by off-piste skiers according to officials, sent masses of snow cascading down and partially reached the lower section of piste 9, which was promptly closed to ensure safety. No fatalities were reported in the initial accounts, and rescuers focused on probing a wide debris field for any remaining victims....