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Three Skiers Killed as Avalanche Sweeps Group Down Italian Mountainside

January, 14, 2025-04:27

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Three Skiers Killed as Avalanche Sweeps Group Down Italian Mountainside

Three skiers lost their lives after an avalanche struck their group in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Local reports identified the victims as 65-year-old driving school instructor Gaudenzio Bonini, 48-year-old Matteo Auguadro, and 34-year-old Matteo Lomazzi. Two other skiers from the group managed to survive and were airlifted to the hospital following a challenging rescue operation.

The avalanche occurred around midday on the eastern face of Punta Valgrande, a peak situated along the border between Italy and Switzerland. According to rescuers, the victims were swept several hundred meters downhill, suffering fatal injuries. Authorities had previously issued a warning for areas above 6,900 feet (2,100 meters), citing a "considerable danger of avalanches." The avalanche hit near the eastern ridge of Punta Valgrande, a summit rising close to 3,000 meters above sea level, as reported by Italian news outlet Attualita.

The rescue operation was launched after witnesses observed the avalanche engulf the group of five and promptly alerted emergency services. The area of the avalanche was thoroughly scanned using advanced avalanche detection equipment capable of locating individuals trapped beneath the snow. Rescue efforts were further bolstered by specially trained dog teams. Despite these state-of-the-art measures, rescuers were unable to save the three men.

Teams from the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue and the Alpine Rescue of the Guardia di Finanza swiftly responded to the scene. Matteo Gasparini, head of the Alpine Rescue of the Valdossola Delegation, commented on the tragedy: "They were all experienced guys. They were climbing the canal where there was already a track from someone who had passed previously, but they were swept away by the avalanche."

Avalanches remain a constant hazard for backcountry skiers seeking off-piste adventures. Earlier this month, another fatal avalanche incident occurred in western Wyoming. Kenneth Goff, a 36-year-old skier from Lander, Wyoming, lost his life after triggering a massive avalanche while ascending a mountain on Togwotee Pass. Goff was completely buried under the snow. A second skier, who was partially buried, sustained leg injuries but survived the ordeal.

These incidents serve as a somber reminder of the risks associated with skiing in backcountry areas, where unpredictable snow conditions can quickly turn a recreational pursuit into a life-threatening situation.