Feb. 28, 2024 15:19 PM EST

Avalanche In Northern Italy Kills 1 German Skier, Critically Injures 2 Others

Rescuers arrive on the site where an avalanche broke loose in Racines di Dentro, Alto Adige, northern Italy engulfing three German tourists, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. One person died and two where hospitalized after being rescued, the Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino said. (Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino Via AP) Uncredited, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rescuers arrive on the site where an avalanche broke loose in Racines di Dentro, Alto Adige, northern Italy engulfing three German tourists, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. One person died and two where hospitalized after being rescued, the Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino said. (Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino Via AP)
Rescuers arrive on the site where an avalanche broke loose in Racines di Dentro, Alto Adige, northern Italy engulfing three German tourists, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. One person died and two where hospitalized after being rescued, the Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino said. (Italian Alpine the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino Via AP)
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MILAN (AP) — An avalanche buried three German backcountry skiers in Italy’s northern South Tyrol province on Wednesday, killing one and critically injuring the other two, Italy’s alpine rescue corps said.

All three skiers were recovered quickly thanks to electronic location devices; the two survivors were transported to a hospital in critical condition. A fourth member of the group stayed behind in a mountain hut and was unharmed.

The avalanche occurred as darkness fell about a kilometer (half a mile) from the nearest lift during an alpine ski outing near the town of Racines, south of the Austrian border. Some 30 rescuers responded to the emergency.

About 60 centimeters (more than 23 ½ inches) of snow have fallen in the area in recent days, putting the entire province under a high avalanche risk.

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