Mountain sports deaths rise
There were 151 deaths due to mountain sports in the Swiss Alps and Jura mountains in 2011, up 22 per cent on the previous year, says the Swiss Alpine Club.
In all, 2,644 people had to be rescued over the year – almost nine per cent more than in 2010. The total number of deaths in the mountains was 217 (173 in 2010).
The Swiss Alpine Club said that the rise in accidents and deaths could be attributed to the weather, which was good in both spring and autumn and thus prolonged the mountain season – for example alpine tours could be carried out until November.
The most common cause of accidents was falls, especially among mountain walkers; 27 people died in avalanches.
Among mountain walkers foreigners made up 18 per cent of victims but among alpine tours they accounted for 88 per cent.
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