Authorities in Austria have reported that the number of fatalities caused by avalanches increased to five after a severely injured individual succumbed in a hospital. The incidents occurred on Friday in popular skiing areas, notably at the St. Anton am Arlberg ski resort where two people swept away by an avalanche were later found dead, as confirmed by police in Tyrol. Additionally, the identities, nationalities, or ages of the victims have not been disclosed but the tragic events highlight the dangers of skiing and snowboarding in off-piste areas during severe weather conditions.

Among the casualties, a 39-year-old Swiss snowboarder lost his life while snowboarding with a 47-year-old German. The avalanche swept them over a distance of 250 meters, tragically burying the Swiss national under the snow, although the German snowboarder escaped uninjured. Earlier in the day, another individual, a 42-year-old German, died due to an avalanche incident in Nölanders, Tyrol while skiing with his 16-year-old son, who also faced severe injuries but was rescued. These events underline the risks associated with winter sports in mountainous regions, especially with adverse weather conditions increasing the occurrences of avalanches.

The death toll raises concerns about ski safety in Austria, especially around this time of year when many tourists flock to ski resorts. Local authorities may need to review skiing safety protocols and avalanche warning systems to protect enthusiasts and prevent further tragedies in the future.