Three hikers killed by lightning strike at popular Austrian holiday spot
Three hikers have been killed by a lightning strike in a popular tourist destination.
Two brothers and the wife of one of the men were killed during a thunderstorm in Austria 's Tyrolean Alps over the weekend, police said on Monday.
A spokesperson for Alpine police in the western town of Landeck said it was likely the couple, both 60, and the 62-year-old brother, died from the same lightning strike.
The three had started their descent around 12:30 pm and relatives sounded the alarm when they didn't return. Reports claim the hikers had reported a shift in weather.
Police said the rare incident occurred on Sunday afternoon as the trio were descending the Mittagsspitze mountain near the village of Flirsch, and that a rescue helicopter found their bodies near a path at an altitude of around 2,268 metres (7,440 feet).
A map of Mittagsspitze mountain:
Patrick Wechner, head of operations for the Alpine Police, told local media that a missing persons report was issued shortly before 7 pm on Sunday. He described the three as experienced mountaineers.
Rescuers were given a detailed plan of the hikers' trip and a search operation found the three relatively quickly.
Wechner described the operation as difficult due to heavy rain, fog, and strong winds. The helicopter was also unable to land.
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The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Three hikers killed by lightning strike at popular Austrian holiday spot
Three hikers have been killed by a lightning strike in a popular tourist destination. Two brothers and the wife of one of the men were killed during a thunderstorm in Austria 's Tyrolean Alps over the weekend, police said on Monday. A spokesperson for Alpine police in the western town of Landeck said it was likely the couple, both 60, and the 62-year-old brother, died from the same lightning strike. The three had started their descent around 12:30 pm and relatives sounded the alarm when they didn't return. Reports claim the hikers had reported a shift in weather. Police said the rare incident occurred on Sunday afternoon as the trio were descending the Mittagsspitze mountain near the village of Flirsch, and that a rescue helicopter found their bodies near a path at an altitude of around 2,268 metres (7,440 feet). A map of Mittagsspitze mountain: Patrick Wechner, head of operations for the Alpine Police, told local media that a missing persons report was issued shortly before 7 pm on Sunday. He described the three as experienced mountaineers. Rescuers were given a detailed plan of the hikers' trip and a search operation found the three relatively quickly. Wechner described the operation as difficult due to heavy rain, fog, and strong winds. The helicopter was also unable to land.
Reuters
9 hours ago
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Three hikers killed by lightning strike in Austrian Alps
June 16 (Reuters) - Three hikers, including two brothers and the wife of one of the men, were killed by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm in Austria's Tyrolean Alps over the weekend, police said on Monday. A spokesperson for Alpine police in the western town of Landeck said it was likely the couple, both 60, and the 62-year-old brother, died from the same lightning strike. Police said the rare incident occurred on Sunday afternoon as the trio were descending the Mittagsspitze mountain near the village of Flirsch, and that a rescue helicopter found their bodies near a path at an altitude of around 2,268 metres (7,440 feet).
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a day ago
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2 killed and 32 injured after a bridge collapses at a tourist destination in western India
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