Two German tourists die in separate climbing accidents in Austrian Alps
A fatigued hiker fell 100 metres on a via ferrata in Vorarlberg, and a 63-year-old man plunged 200 metres descending the Wildspitze in Tyrol. A 74-year-old woman was found alive after four days in the same region.
Two German tourists lost their lives in separate climbing accidents in the Austrian Alps on Saturday, 18 July. A third hiker, a 74-year-old woman who had been missing for four days, was found alive in the same region.
First accident in Vorarlberg
A German tourist from Fürth was on a via ferrata on the Fluchtalpe in Mittelberg, near the German border, with a female companion. The pair reached the southern Schafalpenkopf at around 12:50, according to the Vorarlberg state police. The man had complained of fatigue and told his companion he had underestimated the climb. When he unclipped his via ferrata set, he lost his balance and fell roughly 100 metres, first over steep terrain and then down a vertical rock face towards Germany. He suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. A police helicopter recovered his body. Further details about his identity were not immediately released.
The holidaymaker had previously complained of a loss of strength and said he had underestimated the via ferrata.
Second accident on the Wildspitze
In the Ötztal Alps, in the municipality of Sölden, a 63-year-old German man died while descending the Wildspitze. The accident occurred in the morning. For reasons that remain unknown, he lost his balance and fell about 200 metres. Police said he succumbed to his injuries and was recovered by helicopter.
The man fell around 200 metres and died from his injuries.
Woman found alive after four days
A 74-year-old woman who had been missing since 14 July was found alive on Saturday in the Wilfener Tal. Police investigations showed that on the day she disappeared, she boarded a bus at 08:40 and got off at the Pedretscher Kaser car park to go hiking. Due to an illness, she likely became disoriented and remained in the valley until she was found.
- A 74-year-old woman boards a bus to go hiking in the Wilfener Tal; she goes missing the same day.
- A 63-year-old German man falls 200 metres while descending the Wildspitze in Tyrol and dies.
- A German tourist from Fürth loses his balance on a via ferrata at the Schafalpenkopf and falls 100 metres to his death.
- The missing 74-year-old woman is found alive after spending four days in the Wilfener Tal.
Both fatal accidents are under investigation. The bodies were removed by police helicopter, and authorities have not released the names of the victims.
