At least five people died in Austria on Friday due to avalanches, with heavy snowfall continuing to disrupt travel and cause power outages across the country. The fatalities occurred in multiple regions, including Tyrol and Vorarlberg, as authorities warned of a continuing high avalanche risk.
Two individuals were found dead after being recovered from the snow in St. Anton am Arlberg, according to a police spokesperson. Three others were initially rescued with injuries, but one later died in hospital. In Klösterle, Vorarlberg, a 39-year-old Swiss snowboarder lost his life. Earlier in the day, a 42-year-old German skier was killed in the Tyrolean ski resort of Nauders after being caught in an avalanche while skiing off-piste. His 16-year-old son was seriously injured in the same incident. A man also died in Linz while participating in snow removal operations.
Tyrol had received up to 40 centimeters of fresh snow in recent days, leading to more than 30 avalanche deployments on Friday alone. The authorities have maintained a high avalanche warning for many popular winter sports areas.
Beyond the avalanche dangers, a snowstorm in southern and eastern Austria caused widespread power outages, affecting 30,000 households in Styria. Flight operations at Vienna Airport were temporarily suspended on Friday morning, and disruptions were also reported at Munich Airport. The A21 motorway near Vienna was closed for several hours due to the severe weather conditions.
The incidents come as NATO officials have been warning of a potentially harsh winter in Europe, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its impact on energy supplies. While not directly linked to the Austrian weather events, the broader context of geopolitical instability and potential disruptions to infrastructure adds to the challenges facing European nations during the winter months.