Bodies of 2 Mountaineers Found Dangling from Climbing Ropes in Italian Alps at 6,600 Feet

Authorities said it’s unclear what caused them to fall, proposing that it might have been the result of human error or a potential rockslide

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Two Austrian mountaineers have been found dead in the Italian Alps after being reported missing.

On Thursday, Aug. 1, the climbers’ bodies were located dangling from their climbing ropes at an altitude of roughly 2,000 meters (about 6,600 feet), according to a translated Facebook post from the emergency rescue service Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The mountaineers, both from Villach, Austria, were climbing the Cima di Riofreddo mountain in the Julian Alps, which stretch from Northern Italy to Slovenia. Their loved ones attempted to reach them by phone when they didn’t return, per the statement.

The rescue service said that it is unclear what caused the failure, suggesting that it could’ve been the result of human error or a potential rockslide.

Alpine and Speleological Soccorso

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Related: 5 People Found Dead in Snow Cave After Going Missing on Ski Trip

There were two rescue operations with a helicopter to recover the climbers. The bodies were located on the first mission, but they were unable to be recovered because of safety reasons.

Around 5 am local time, the second mission took off with rescuers and a helicopter technician on board, as well as 10 rescuers at the base camp for additional assistance.

Prior to the rescue, the two climbers’ vehicle was located in the parking lot, per the initial report.

Related: YouTuber, 22, Dies Falling From Mountain While Filming Video: ‘We Are in Great Grief,’ Says Mom

According to Summit Post, Cima di Riofreddo reaches an elevation of 8,225 feet and has “high walls and sharp ridges on all sides.” According to the outlet, the mountain is difficult to climb as there isn’t a marked path to reach its summit.

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That same day, the rescue service posted alerts for several other emergency situations, one of which involved a hiker who got stuck on the Tenente Ferrante di Ruffano climbing route. He was hanging with a safety cord after experiencing difficulties with his equipment. He was returned to safety by a group of rescuers.

The other incidents involved a climber who had difficulties with a rocky wall at the shoulder of the Bila Pec mountain and a hiker who needed to be escorted to Piani del Montasio.

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