(MENAFN) A deadly avalanche struck the Dolomite mountains in Italy, killing five German climbers, including a 17-year-old girl and her father, according to reports. The mountaineers were ascending Cima Vertana in the Ortler Alps around 16:00 local time on Saturday when the rapid snow slide struck.

A group of three climbers “was fully swept away by the avalanche” and did not survive, the Alpine rescue service confirmed. Separately, the father and daughter were also carried off, with their bodies recovered on Sunday. Two climbers in another group managed to survive and raised the alarm, prompting the rescue operation.

Olaf Reinstadler, a spokesperson for the Sulden Mountain Rescue Service, told media outlets that the avalanche on the 3,545-metre (11,630ft) mountain, also known as Vertainspitze, may have been triggered by recent snow drifts that had not bonded to the ice below. He added that climbing tours were popular and weather conditions had been favorable, though he questioned why the mountaineers were scaling the peak late in the afternoon, as “the descent would have then taken until nightfall.”

The bodies of the three climbers in the first group were recovered on Saturday before rescue efforts were paused due to diminishing daylight and safety concerns. Poor visibility and fog initially prevented helicopters from flying at dawn on Sunday. Once conditions improved, rescue teams and avalanche dogs were airlifted to 2,600 metres and continued on foot. By late morning, the father and daughter were located and recovered.

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