A tragic accident unfolded in Austria’s Verwall Alps on Sunday when three experienced hikers were fatally struck by lightning during their descent from the Hoher Riffler, a 3,168-meter (10,394-foot) peak in the heart of the popular Vorarlberg ski region.
The victims—a 62-year-old man, his 60-year-old brother, and the brother’s 60-year-old wife—had begun their descent around 12:30 p.m. when weather conditions suddenly deteriorated. After the trio failed to return, concerned relatives initiated a search. Mountain rescue services, local police, and the emergency medical helicopter Christophorus 5 launched a coordinated search operation.
Their lifeless bodies were eventually located above the Ganaschalpe, near a marked trail at approximately 2,268 meters (7,441 feet) above sea level. The victims were found by the crew of the emergency medical helicopter, but due to the poor weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, and fog, access to the site was challenging. The emergency physician was lowered near the scene and confirmed that all three had died, likely from a lightning strike.
According to Patrick Wechner, head of operations with the Alpine Police, the group had reported from the summit shortly before the accident and had mentioned the weather was turning and that they made the decision to turn around immediately. “The relatives provided a detailed description of the route, which helped us locate them quickly,” Wechner said. “They were experienced mountaineers.”
While lightning activity in the Alps is not unusual, fatalities from lightning strikes remain rare. Sudden weather shifts can pose serious risks for climbers, typically in the form of reduced visibility, hypothermia, slippery terrain, and disorientation.
The Verwall Alps border on the Silvretta Alps in the west and on the Samnaun Alps in the south. A slew of ski resorts is lying in the surrounding mountain ranges. St. Anton is only 20 minutes away, while Ischgl-Samnaun is arbout 45 minutes away. Silvretta-Montafon lies to the west, around 1 hour from the Hoher Riffler. (Please note that there are two peaks in Austria called Hoher Riffler, one in the Verwall Alps and one in the Tux Alps.)
