In the alpine region of Valtellina in northern Italy, four people lost their lives and several were injured in a series of avalanches that hit skiers. The Italian mountain rescue service reported that two avalanches occurred, resulting in one fatality each. These incidents took place on a day classified as high-risk for avalanches, with a level three warning issued, indicating significant danger.

Specifically, in Valtellina, the avalanches struck three skiers, unfortunately killing two of them. In addition, another avalanche incident in the Aosta Valley, which borders Switzerland and France, involved a group of five skiers, two of whom were swept away but later managed to free themselves from the snow due to their gear. The occurrence of these avalanches highlights the dangerous conditions present in the region during this particular day, emphasizing the importance of awareness and caution in alpine areas, especially during high-risk periods.

This tragic event underscores the ongoing risks associated with winter sports and the potential for severe weather conditions to lead to hazardous situations for skiers and snowboarders. It calls into question the adequacy of safety measures and the preparedness of skiers, along with the response capabilities of mountain rescue services in high-risk environments, especially in light of the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns due to climate change.