131 deaths from alpine accidents in Austria recorded over summer

A total of 131 people died in accidents on Austrian mountains over the 2016 summer season, according to local media the Krone, who quoted the president of the alpine safety advisory board here, Karl Gabl.

Speaking at a press conference in the city of Innsbruck, Gabl noted the death toll was six fewer than in 2015, which he said was due to both the preventative measures in place, as well as as a rainy start to the summer season.

Most of the deadly accidents occurred on hikes, claiming 76 lives, followed by climbing with 10 fatalities, and mountain biking with six.

Forty-eight percent of the deceased were Austrian nationals, while Germans made up a further 36 percent.

The total overall number of accidents that occurred between May 1 to Sept. 30 increased from 1,823 in the past year to 1,935, largely due to a higher number of visitors, Gabl said.

"More visitors means more accidents," he said.

Other alpine authorities from the state of Tyrol, where the largest number of accidents occurred, who were also present at the press conference, claimed that many people were either unprepared for the alpine activities they were embarking on, or overestimated their own capabilities. Endit