2/21/2026 | USA | general | ✓ Verified - cbsnews.com

At least 5 killed, including American, in a string of avalanches in Austria

#avalanche #Austria #skiing accident #Tyrol #off-piste #snowfall #rescue operation #St. Anton am Arlberg

📌 Key Takeaways

Five people killed in avalanches across western Austria
Victims included American, Pole, Austrian, German, and Swiss nationals
Intense snowfall and weak snowpack created dangerous conditions
Nearly three dozen avalanche incidents reported on Friday alone

📖 Full Retelling

Five people, including an American citizen, were killed in a series of avalanches in western Austria on Friday, February 21, 2026, as intense snowfall and dangerous mountain conditions claimed lives across multiple ski resorts in the Tyrol and Vorarlberg regions. The deadliest incident occurred in the St. Anton am Arlberg area where a nearly 490-yard-wide avalanche engulfed five off-piste skiers at an altitude of approximately 6,500 feet, resulting in the deaths of an American, a Pole, and a 21-year-old Austrian who succumbed to injuries after being hospitalized. Earlier that day, a 42-year-old German man was killed in an avalanche at the Nauders-Bergkastell resort while his 16-year-old son survived with injuries after calling for help. In a separate incident in the Klösterle area of Vorarlberg, a 39-year-old Swiss snowboarder was caught and killed by an avalanche in an off-piste area. Authorities attributed the dangerous conditions to intense snowfall that had accumulated up to 5 feet over the previous week, combined with windy conditions and a weak snowpack that made the slopes particularly vulnerable. Tyrol governor Anton Mattle expressed concern that the recent snowfall was drawing many people to the mountains, even into off-piste areas, noting that nearly three dozen avalanche incidents were reported on Friday alone, with over 200 incidents occurring in the past week. The regional office warned that no relief was in sight for Sunday as the weather remained turbulent.

🏷️ Themes

avalanche safety, winter tourism risks, weather emergencies

📚 Related People & Topics

Tyrol

Region across the Alps

Tyrol ( tih-ROHL, ty-ROHL, TY-rohl; historically the Tyrole; German: Tirol [tiˈroːl] ; Italian: Tirolo) is a historical region in the Alps of Northern Italy and western Austria. The area was historically the core of the County of Tyrol, part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire and Austria-Hung...

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Austria

Country in Central Europe

Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, of which the capital Vienna is the most populous city and state. Austria is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slova...

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The avalanches in western Austria have claimed at least five lives, including international residents, highlighting the growing risk of winter storms in the Alps. The incident underscores the need for improved avalanche forecasting and safety measures for off‑piste skiers worldwide.

Context & Background

Heavy snowfall of up to 5 feet in the last week
Windy conditions weakened the snowpack
More than 200 avalanches reported in the last month
Multiple nationalities among the victims
Rescue teams deployed with dogs and ambulances

What Happens Next

Authorities are monitoring weather forecasts for further turbulence and may issue additional warnings or restrictions on mountain access. Rescue resources remain stretched, and experts advise skiers to stay on marked trails until conditions improve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What areas were most affected?

The St. Anton am Arlberg area in Tyrol and the Klösterle region in Vorarlberg saw the most serious incidents.

Are there any safety recommendations for skiers?

Experts recommend staying on marked trails, checking avalanche forecasts, and avoiding off‑piste areas during high-risk periods.

How many avalanches were reported this month?

More than 200 avalanches were reported in the last month, with at least 11 fatalities.

What support is available for victims?

Rescue teams, ambulances, fire departments, and dog squads were deployed to assist survivors and recover victims.

Original Source

              World At least 5 killed, including American, in a string of avalanches in western Austria February 21, 2026 / 12:55 PM EST / AP Add CBS News on Google At least five people were killed in a string of avalanches in western Austria, authorities said Saturday. The government office of the Tyrol region said intense snowfall over the last week led to accumulations of up to 5 feet. Combined with windy conditions and weak snowpack below, the conditions were especially susceptible to avalanches, it said. Tyrol police said five off-piste skiers were caught up in a nearly 490-yard-wide avalanche Friday afternoon in the St. Anton am Arlberg area at an altitude of about 6,500 feet. An American and a Pole were among the five recovered dead after the avalanche, and a 21-year-old Austrian died of injuries after being rushed to the hospital, police said. Dozens of mountain-rescue team members, ambulance and fire department staffers, as well as several dog squads, were deployed for the operation. Late Friday morning in the Nauders-Bergkastell resort to the southeast, a 42-year-old German man and his 16-year-old son were caught in an avalanche. The teen survived with injuries and called for help, but his father was killed. In Klösterle in the neighboring Vorarlberg region, a 39-year-old Swiss snowboarder was caught and killed by an avalanche in an off-piste area, regional police said. "The recent snowfall is currently drawing many people to the mountains – even off-piste," Tyrol governor Anton Mattle said in a statement. "It is painful that we have already had to record several avalanches with injuries and fatalities." His office said nearly three dozen avalanche incidents were reported on Friday, among more than 200 over the last week. So far, 11 people have lost their lives in avalanches this month, the governor's office said. Three separate avalanches last month killed eight skiers . "No relief is in sight for Sunday either," the region office said. "The weather remains turbulent."...
            

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