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An Italian mountain rescue helicopter on Wednesday

Photo:

dpa

A 21-year-old from Munich died in an avalanche in South Tyrol.

According to the Italian mountain rescue service, the accident occurred near the municipality of Ratschings, near the Austrian border, at an altitude of around 2,100 meters.

According to the information, the buried people were a group of German tour-goers.

The rescue workers managed to pull a woman and a man out of the snow and resuscitate them.

They were flown to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

For another man, any help came too late.

Around 30 helpers were involved in the rescue work.

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Deployment of the Italian mountain rescue service near Ratschings

Photo: dpa

It had snowed heavily in the Italian Alps in the past few days.

The fresh snow – up to half a meter – also increased the risk of avalanches.

The accident probably occurred in the early afternoon near the Wumblsalm area.

It took some time until the rescuers were on site.

According to the information, those buried were wearing avalanche search devices.

The tourers who were off the regular pistes were probably aiming for the Schlotterjoch (2373 meters) or the Glaitner Hochjoch (2389 meters).

hba/dpa