The number of avalanche victims in the mountains of Europe has risen sharply

This winter season, significantly more people have died in avalanches in the European mountains than last year. According to preliminary data, the number of fatalities is twice as high as last year’s figures and is the highest in recent years.

Spiegel reports this, citing official statistics from the European Avalanche Warning Service (EAWS).

As noted, since early October, at least 135 people have died in the Alps and other European mountain ranges after being buried under snow.

For comparison: during the winter of 2024/25, a total of 70 people died in Europe as a result of avalanches. This season, that figure has nearly doubled. The last time there were even more victims was in 2017/18—a total of 147. 

Italy has been particularly hard hit this winter, with a total of 38 avalanche fatalities recorded. 

According to statistics, over the past few months, 31 people have died in avalanches in France, 30 in Austria, and 15 in Switzerland. 

As a reminder, an avalancheburied tourists in Norway.

Also in Germany, a skier died in an avalanche while climbing the Iseler.

A tragic incident occurred in the French Pyrenees mountain range, where a local resident died as a result of a massive snow slide.