Do, Jan 25th 2024
A tourist succumbs to an avalanche while ski touring near La Fouly, highlighting the risks of mountain adventures.
A tragic event unfolded in Valais, Switzerland, as two ski tourers were caught in an avalanche near La Fouly on Wednesday, resulting in a tourist death. The avalanche claimed the life of a 42-year-old French national who resided in the canton of Fribourg.
The Valais cantonal police, in their report on Thursday, stated that the accident occurred during the descent from the summit of Dotse, which stands at 2491 meters above sea level. The avalanche struck the tourers on the north-western slope of Val Ferret around 10:30 am.
One of the tourers, partially buried by the avalanche, managed to extricate himself. He immediately commenced a search for his companion using an avalanche transceiver. His efforts led him to discover the unconscious victim under a 1.5-meter-thick layer of snow.
The injured alpinist was airlifted to the Sion hospital by an Air-Glaciers helicopter. Despite the swift response and medical attention, he succumbed to his severe injuries at the hospital. In light of this incident, the public prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation to ascertain the precise circumstances surrounding this avalanche accident.
This incident is a sad reminder of the inherent dangers of ski touring and mountain activities, particularly in avalanche-prone areas. The loss of the French tourist in the Valais avalanche emphasizes the need for heightened safety measures and awareness among mountaineers and ski enthusiasts.
©Keystone/SDA
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