131 deaths from alpine mishaps recorded in Austria

A total of 131 people died in accidents on Austrian mountains over the 2016 summer season, according to Karl Gabl President of the alpine safety advisory board here.

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

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

Austrian nationals constituted 48 per cent of the deceased, while Germans made up a further 36 per cent.

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

--IANS

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