Two German mountaineers - a 28-year-old woman and her 34-year-old companion - were found dead on Tuesday afternoon in Vals (North Tyrol). They had been missing since Monday evening. Rescue services and the Alpine police searched for hours with helicopters until they found the victims at the foot of a north face at around 2 pm.
The couple had set off from the Geraer Hütte at around 6 a.m. on Monday morning on a climbing route classified as moderately difficult. As they did not return, relatives alerted the authorities. The St. Jodok mountain rescue team searched unsuccessfully with two police helicopters until they were found the next afternoon.
Investigations by the Alpine Police suggest that the two fell as part of a rope team. Possible causes such as thunderstorms or falling rocks are currently being investigated, but according to the head of operations, the course of the night of the accident is still unclear.
The hiking route near the Geraer Hütte is one of the moderately difficult via ferratas for which alpine experience is required. The equipment was available. Whether external influences - such as a thunderstorm on Tuesday night - played a role is currently being investigated.
