High avalanche death toll during snowy Swiss winter
Rescuers search for avalanche victims in Switzerland.
Keystone / Gian Ehrenzeller
Twice as many people were caught up in Swiss avalanches last winter, which resulted in a higher rate of deaths than in previous years.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
By March 30, 27 avalanche fatalities had been recorded among 215 incidents of people being swept away. The average number of fatalities in other years is 18.
Last winter’s excess of fatalities was caused by above average snowfall, particularly at lower regions below 2,000 metres. Heavy snowfall in alpine regions started earlier than usual and the authorities had to issue several avalanche warnings, particularly in January.
Around 2,000 people have lost their lives in avalanches in Switzerland since records began in 1936. The number has fallen in recent years, but SLF warns that people who ski off-piste are putting themselves at increased risk.
More
More
Avalanches: looming danger in the Swiss Alps
This content was published on
Switzerland has a long tradition of avalanche protection. But how predictable is the white death?
This content was published on
“Wait and see" seems to be the position adopted by large Swiss companies in the face of US President Donald Trump's trade policy.
Eurostar plans direct link between London and Geneva
This content was published on
The Eurostar railway company wants to offer a direct connection between Switzerland and Great Britain for the first time in the coming years.
Lucy Liu to receive career award at Locarno Film Festival
This content was published on
The Locarno78 Career Achievement Award goes to American actress Lucy Liu. The award will be presented to her on Thursday 14 August on the Piazza Grande.
Swiss foreign minister travels to Israel and Palestinian territories
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis is travelling to the Middle East on Tuesday and Wednesday for official visits to the Palestinian and Israeli authorities.
This content was published on
This year's Zurich city lake crossing is planned for 2 July. Should the weather not play ball or the water be too cold, two alternative dates are planned.
June 14 women’s strike: no equality without pay rises for women
This content was published on
Although pay inequality persists, large companies are ignoring the basic provisions of the Equality Act, Swiss trade union Unia criticised on Tuesday.
Israeli army has committed crimes against humanity, say UN investigators
This content was published on
The Israeli army has committed crimes against humanity of extermination by targeting civilian refugees in schools and religious sites, say UN investigators.
This content was published on
Lack of experience and local knowledge are often the main factors behind accidents and 16 people have lost their lives in off-piste avalanches and falls so far this winter season. Particularly tragic are the cases involving children, such as the eight-year old boy who suffocated in deep snow earlier this week near Laax in eastern…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.