Overview
- Salzburg prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation on suspicion of negligent homicide against a 41-year-old Alpenverein guide who led a training tour buried at Finsterkopf in the Großarltal.
- Investigators have appointed an avalanche expert to examine the site and determine whether the snow released spontaneously or was triggered by the group.
- The January 17 tour involved seven ski tourers; four died and three survived, including the guide and a 58-year-old from Salzburg, according to reports.
- Thomas Feistl of the Bavarian Avalanche Warning Center reports danger level 3 near the main Alpine ridge above about 2000 meters and level 2 in parts of Upper Bavaria above roughly 1600 meters.
- Feistl attributes the risk to weak layers formed during a long cold, dry period, warns that even experienced professionals face residual danger at level 3, and notes monitored ski areas in Bavaria have recorded no avalanche fatalities.