Heavy snowfall in Austria: deaths after avalanches in Tyrol | EUROtoday

As of: February 20, 2026 • 11:57 p.m

It has been snowing in Austria for days and quite a few avalanches have occurred within the mountains. At least 4 individuals died in Tyrol on Friday. The snowfall additionally led to energy outages and visitors delays.

At least 4 individuals died after avalanches in Austria on Friday. In St. Anton am Arlberg, two individuals might solely be rescued lifeless from the snow, a police spokesman stated. Of the three individuals who have been initially injured, one died in hospital within the night, the police spokesman stated.

Previously, a 42-year-old German skier was hit by an avalanche off the piste within the Tyrolean ski space of ​​Nauders and killed. His 16-year-old son survived with severe accidents, police stated. The duo needed to cross a north-facing slope when a slab of snow that was round 400 meters vast got here unfastened and dragged each winter sports activities fans round 200 to 300 meters away. In Linz, Upper Austria, a person additionally died throughout an evacuation operation.

Many Avalanche operations within the well-liked Winter sports activities space

Up to 40 centimeters of recent snow had lately fallen in Tyrol. On Friday alone, the authorities counted greater than 30 avalanche operations within the state, which can also be well-liked with German winter sports activities fans.

A snowstorm brought about energy outages within the south and east of Austria; In Styria, 30,000 households have been affected. Flight operations at Vienna Airport have been briefly suspended within the morning, and there have been additionally issues at Munich Airport.

One of a very powerful highways close to Vienna, the A21, was closed for a number of hours. Other sections of the freeway have been blocked as a consequence of snowdrifts, damaged down vehicles or poor visibility, the nationwide car membership ÖAMTC stated.