(MENAFN) Three Croatian hikers lost their lives after being buried by a snow avalanche in Slovenia, the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia confirmed on Monday.

The fatal avalanche struck on Sunday near Mount Tosc, a 2,275-meter peak in the Julian Alps. Rescue teams recovered the body of one victim late Sunday, while the other two were found on Monday, trapped under up to 1.5 meters of snow.

"The search was very difficult due to snow, rain and a serious danger of new avalanches," the association stated on its official Facebook page.

The three hikers were part of a group of seven Croatian mountaineers descending the mountain amid harsh weather conditions.

"Mountain hiking in the coming days is very dangerous and we advise against it," the Mountain Rescue Association cautioned, adding, "current conditions in the high mountains are extremely difficult."

In addition to the fatalities, rescue teams helped several other hikers stranded by heavy snowfall in the Slovenian Alps over the weekend. Some hikers were forced to stay overnight in mountain huts, awaiting helicopter evacuation.

The Julian Alps are generally most accessible during summer when weather conditions are stable and snow is minimal.

Local media report that 15 people have died in snow avalanches in Slovenia over the past 15 years.

MENAFN07102025000045017169ID1110159695