Police: Avalanche Kills Two People in High Tatras (2)

Vysoke Tatry/Bratislava, 6 February (TASR) – An avalanche in the High Tatra mountains claimed the lives of two people on Friday morning. The Presov Region Police Directorate reported on social media that the tragedy occurred shortly after 11.00 a.m. in the area of the Zlomiskova Valley at the foot of Tupa peak. According to police, two men were killed in the avalanche. The authorities have confirmed that they were foreign nationals. "The police are working hard on the case. Given the situation, it isn't possible to provide further information," the police added. Police later specified that the incident involved two Hungarians aged 37 and 38. According to the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS), the avalanche was triggered by climbers on the north-west face of Tupa. "Two people were swept away by the avalanche and fell about 400 metres in mixed terrain, remaining completely buried in snow," stated HZS. Mountain rescuers requested helicopter assistance, but it wasn't able to take off due to unfavourable weather conditions, so they headed to the site by ground transport. In the meantime, witnesses who were searching the avalanche debris, managed to locate both persons and dig them out of the snow, but the older climber sustained injuries incompatible with life. "His companion showed no vital signs. Therefore, they began layperson CPR guided by telephone through the 155 emergency line. Unfortunately, despite the great efforts of all involved, the man could not be saved," added HZS. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final three paragraph jrg