Almost 30 died in avalanches in Swiss Alps last winter
Archive shot from 2015 showing a blast-triggered avalanche for test purposes, in canton Valais.
Keystone
The winter of 2017-2018 was characterised by “extraordinary” snowfall in the Swiss Alps and a greater number of avalanche deaths than usual, according to an annual study released on Thursday.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/dos
العربية
ar
ثلاثون ضحية بسبب الإنزلاقات الثلجية في جبال الألب السويسرية
Overall, some 250 “destructive avalanches causing property damage or personal injury” were reported the past winter, the Davos-based Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) wrote in its winter reportExternal link covering the period up to and including April 30.
A total of 26 people – all involved in winter sports – died in 19 separate avalanche incidents throughout the year. The average annual figure is 21.
Eighteen of the victims (around two-thirds of the total) were engaged in backcountry ski tours; one person was caught in an avalanche while on an open winter hiking trail; while two larger avalanche accidents claimed the lives of three and four people, respectively.
The institute, which belongs to the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), also flagged the rare publication on January 22 of the highest possible avalanche danger level (level 5, or “very high”) over a wide area. It’s the first time the publication reached this level since 1999, and the predictions proved accurate with many resorts in the Valais and Graubünden regions cut off due to heavy snow.
As for the winter weather, the institute said that while it was one of the “most snowy of the past 30 years” above 1,500 metres in altitude, down below 1,000 metres only about half the normal amount of snow fell.
While this may not have been good news for some ski resorts, SLF said that the moist snow at mid-level altitudes “slowed down the powder avalanches triggered at higher altitudes and thus prevented them from reaching any settlements”.
More
More
Why the Swiss are experts at predicting avalanches
This content was published on
Can avalanches be managed? An in-depth look at the latest Swiss snow science.
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Female gorillas prevent inbreeding by avoiding groups with male relatives
This content was published on
Female gorillas do not change groups randomly. They avoid the males they grew up with, thus preventing inbreeding, according to a study by the University of Zurich.
Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin to set up Swiss offshoot
This content was published on
Zug's Crypto Valley is getting a new addition. The Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin will set up its European headquarters in Baar, as the company announced on Wednesday.
Natural disasters lead to second most expensive half-year for insurers
This content was published on
The wildfires in California and storm damage have led to the second most expensive first half of the year ever for the insurance industry.
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.
Read more
More
Almost 2,000 avalanche deaths in Switzerland since 1936
This content was published on
Nearly 2,000 people have lost their lives in almost 1,000 avalanches in the Swiss Alps and the Jura region since 1936, the Davos-based instituteExternal link said on Tuesday. In controlled areas (roads, railways, communities and secured ski runs) the 15-year annual average number of victims dropped from 15 at the end of the 1940s to…
This content was published on
Three off-piste skiers were killed in an avalanche Saturday afternoon. Two other members of the group have been rescued alive and with minor injuries.
This content was published on
Six people died in the Alps on Monday after bad weather forced them to spend a night outdoors. A seventh victim died in hospital on Wednesday.
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.