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View of the Zugspitze: Crash on the Höllental via ferrata
Photograph:
Matthias Schrader / AP
A mountaineer has died near the summit of the Zugspitze. According to a witness, the man was hit by masses of snow on Friday and fell about 400 meters into the depths, police said. The emergency doctor was only able to determine the death of the mountaineer.
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Via ferrata: Mountaineer dies in accident on the Zugspitze
According to the witness's observations, the man was alone on the Höllental via ferrata. Below the summit, he was caught by a small snow slide and swept away.
After the fall over "steepest rocky terrain", the man was fatally injured on the Höllentalferner to the rest, it said. The investigation into the identity of the man continued.
Warning of further snow
Eleven other climbers who were near the scene of the accident had to be brought to safety by police and rescue workers by helicopter. The authorities warned that more snow was to be expected in the coming weeks.
sol/AFP