Skier dies buried by avalanches in the Pyrenees

One person died on Sunday, buried by an avalanche while off-piste skiing in the Pyrenees. On Sunday night, a skier died after being rescued by the Pompièrs d'Aran (Aran Fire Brigade) at the Baqueira Beret ski resort, as confirmed to ARA by sources from the Aran General Council. The man was caught in an avalanche and was initially rescued alive by emergency services, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. In Catalonia, Civil Protection has activated the Allaucat plan for this weekend, in the pre-alert phase. The avalanche risk has been set at 4 out of 5 in the Ribagorçana-Vall Fosca area. The emergency services also warned that the danger in the rest of the mountain areas is at 3 out of 5. Second victim

However, the Aran Fire Brigade (Pompièrs de Aran) has ruled out the possibility that the ski found in the off-piste area of the Baqueira Beret resort belongs to a second skier trapped in the avalanche. Jordi López, head of the Aran Fire Brigade operation, explained that thanks to a tag on the ski, they were able to determine that it had been rented last year from a ski rental shop and subsequently reported lost. The Aran Fire Brigade, the Catalan Police (Mossos d'Esquadra), and firefighters from Aragon with dogs continue working in the area to ensure that no one is trapped under the avalanche, given the presence of recent ski tracks. The Catalan Police have not received any reports or notifications of missing persons, and the victim's car, the only one left in the resort's parking lot, contained only ski equipment and footwear belonging to one person. Therefore, they rule out the possibility that the ski found belonged to a second person and that the victim was accompanied at the time of the avalanche.

The Mountain Rescue Group (GRM) of the Pompièrs d'Aran (Aran Fire Brigade) has flown over the avalanche zone by helicopter with the Recco SAR bell installed on the helicopter. This is a mountain search tool that, thanks to the Recco reflectors found on many ski garments (also available for purchase separately), allows for the rapid location of people lost in the mountains or trapped by an avalanche across a very large area. The investigation is also being conducted by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police) from the Mountain and Canine Units, as well as the Aragon Fire Brigade, also with dogs.

The avalanche that occurred was approximately 200 meters long, but the full extent of the avalanche has not yet been unleashed, so the Pompièrs are working with all necessary safety precautions. Firefighters are keeping watch at the top of the mountain, and any sign of danger alerts the Pompières (firefighters) and other security forces working on the scene, who then evacuate to a predetermined safe zone. López has stressed the importance of caution when venturing into the mountains in off-piste areas these days. He reminded everyone that the avalanche risk is high and that safety measures must be strictly followed. High waves are in effect in 19 municipalities.

Recent snowfalls and those expected in the coming days, with significant accumulations, are keeping the avalanche risk high. Over the weekend, nearly 90 cm of new snow fell in Boí (2,500 m) and 60 cm in Espot (2,400 m). Generally, snow depths have increased by around 50 cm in many areas of the southern Pyrenees and also in the Pre-Pyrenees. Furthermore, a forecast predicts between half a meter and one meter more snow in the Eastern Pyrenees.

We have just come through several days with a marked (3) and even high (4) avalanche danger in the Ribagorçana-Vall Fosca region, the northern slopes of the Cadí-Moixeró range, and the Ter-Freser area. If the predicted snow depths materialize, the danger level will remain very high throughout the Pyrenees, especially in the easternmost region, and therefore extreme caution will be necessary. Under these conditions, mountain excursions and off-piste activities require considerable experience and the utmost prudence. Avalanches of fresh snow and wind slabs are expected, which could occur naturally and reach a large size (capable of burying a group of people) or even very large, andJordi Pons reports. Beyond the snow situation, Civil Protection sent an Es-Alert message to mobile phones in up to 19 coastal municipalities of the Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà regions this Sunday, shortly before 8:00 PM. Emergency services decided to take this preventative measure to warn of the risks of the maritime storm expected to intensify on Monday, especially from 7:00 AM onwards. The message warns of "significant waves expected until Wednesday" in the area and urges "extreme caution, respecting access closures to coastal areas, and staying away from breakwaters, seawalls, and promenades." The message concludes by urging people to call 112 in case of emergency.