Three Croatian climbers have died after being swept away by an avalanche while attempting to conquer Mount Tosc in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. The tragedy occurred on Sunday, October 5, as the group of seven friends sought shelter near the summit. Despite terrible weather conditions, the three decided to descend, leading to the fatal accident.
Rescue operations chief Miha Arh confirmed the deaths, stating: 'Unfortunately, the three climbers died in an avalanche.' The bodies were discovered in a ravine approximately 350 metres from where the snowslide struck. Search teams recovered the first body on Sunday night, but further searches were postponed due to the risk of additional avalanches endangering rescuers.
On Monday, clearer weather allowed helicopters to resume the search. The region is experiencing 'particularly unstable' conditions, with a cold wave bringing early snow and strong winds. According to the national mountain rescue association, around twenty people lose their lives annually in such extreme conditions in the Slovenian Alps.
The Julian Alps are a popular destination for mountaineers, known for their beauty and technical challenges. However, as this incident shows, the mountains can be deadly even for experienced climbers. Authorities have urged climbers to respect safety instructions and postpone ascents while avalanche risk remains high. A moderate avalanche warning (Level 3 out of 5) is currently in place.
Meanwhile, rescue teams have reached the last 200 hikers stranded at 16,000 feet on Mount Everest after a brutal snowstorm. Around 350 people have been brought to safety following severe weather that hit the mountain from Friday to Saturday. Hiker Chen Geshuang described the dangerous conditions, noting: 'It was so wet and cold... hypothermia was a real risk.'
