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What happened
On Saturday, an avalanche struck Cima Vertana in Italy's Dolomite mountains, resulting in the deaths of five German climbers, including a father and his 17-year-old daughter. The climbers were part of separate groups when the avalanche occurred around 16:00 local time. A group of three climbers was completely swept away, while the father and daughter were also caught in the snow. Rescuers were alerted by survivors, leading to a rescue operation that faced difficulties due to fog and low visibility. The bodies of the three climbers were recovered on Saturday, but the search for the father and daughter continued until conditions improved on Sunday. Experts suggest that the avalanche may have been caused by unstable snow drifts, raising questions about the timing of the climb as it was late in the afternoon.
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Key insights
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Late Climbing Risks: Climbing late in the day increases risks due to reduced visibility.
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Avalanche Causes: Recent snow drifts may have contributed to the avalanche's occurrence.
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Rescue Challenges: Poor weather conditions hindered the initial rescue efforts.
Takeaways
This tragic event underscores the inherent dangers of mountaineering, particularly in changing weather conditions and the importance of timing during climbs.