On February 25, an avalanche struck the Mengusovska Valley, a popular skiing area in northern Slovakia near the Polish border, resulting in the tragic death of two skiers aged 31 and 41. Witnesses from Poland reported the incident, where neither of the victims was equipped with avalanche transceivers, which are crucial for survival in such emergencies.

Following the avalanche, five Czech climbers who were in the area equipped with avalanche search gear immediately initiated a rescue. They managed to locate one of the buried skiers and attempted to revive him, but sadly their efforts were unsuccessful. A rescue team was dispatched to the scene, including a helicopter and a canine unit. Ultimately, the body of the second skier was recovered, also showing fatal injuries.

A. Olszanskis, one of the victims, was renowned for his extreme skiing descents in the Tatras, Alps, and Himalayas, highlighting the risks associated with extreme winter sports. This incident raises concerns about safety measures in mountain areas and the necessity for proper avalanche safety equipment for winter sports enthusiasts.