A significant snowstorm hit Austria on Friday, resulting in at least four fatalities and extensive travel disruptions throughout the country. According to authorities, three of the deceased were victims of avalanches in the Tyrol region, where two individuals lost their lives near the St. Anton ski resort. As a safety measure, Tyrolean officials urged skiers to refrain from venturing into off-piste areas. This tragic event raised the death toll from avalanches in Austria this winter to 18.

The snowstorm, which began Thursday, brought heavy snowfall of up to 40 centimeters in certain areas, particularly affecting southeast Austria. In Linz, a city near the borders of Germany and the Czech Republic, one person died when a snowplow fell down a set of stairs and crushed a man underneath. The severe weather conditions led to the temporary suspension of flights at Vienna's international airport on Friday morning, with ongoing disruptions anticipated throughout the day for afternoon flights.

In addition to the human toll, the storm complicated road traffic, particularly on Vienna’s major bypass routes. The situation highlights the dangers posed by extreme winter weather in Austria and illustrates the need for caution among residents and visitors. As winter continues, the impacts of such severe weather can affect not only individual safety but also broader infrastructure and economic activity in the region.