Two Italian skiers died in remote Swedish ski resort when avalanche swept away helicopter
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On Thursday, March 20 an avalanche occurred in the Abisko mountains in Northern Sweden, sweeping away a helicopter. Several individuals were affected, and two Italian citizens lost their lives. The incident is being investigated, according to Swedish Television SVT.se
It was shortly before 4 PM on Thursday afternoon, when an extensive rescue operation began in Abisko.According to Aviation 24, the avalange swept away an Airbus H130 helicopter and buried two of the skiers under the snow. Their mountain guide, who remained on the surface, reportedly survived.
According to a press release from tourism company Niehku Mountain Villa, a group of five skiers from Italy, led by an internationally certified IFMGA mountain guide, were helicopter skiing near the mountain lodge Kårsavagge when the mountain guide and two guests were caught in the avalanche. The two guests were buried under the snow, while the guide remained on the surface.
"The two victims were taken to hospital, but it is with deep sorrow that we confirm that their lives could not be saved", writes the company's CEO Johan Lindblom in a press release.
According the Sweden Herald, the avalanche swept away a stationary helicopter that was on the ground. Seven individuals, including the helicopter pilot, were caught in the incident. Two people were initially unaccounted for but were rescued by mountain rescue teams from under the snow after approximately an hour.
According to several media, the others involved, including the pilot, were physically unharmed.
According to the Local Sweden, the two victims died in the hospital.
According to the Italian newspaper Corriere Torino, the two deceased are brothers from the Piedmont region of Italy.
Abisko is a small village in Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle, near the border with Norway.
