Avalanche buries three Croatian mountaineers, rescue operation underway

(Patria) - An avalanche occurred below the Toska peak in the Julian Alps in Slovenia, which, according to reports, swept away three mountaineers. A rescue operation is underway, and the police and mountain rescuers have been called.

According to initial information, three Croatian citizens are reported missing after leaving a group at Vodnikov dom in Vele Polje. The Kranj Police Administration confirmed the information to 24ur.com.

According to information known so far, seven Croatian citizens were at Vodnikov dom in Vele Polje. Four stayed there, while three continued their journey despite bad weather conditions. They were reportedly swept away by an avalanche that activated en route.

A rescue operation is underway, with mountain rescue services from Radovljica, Bohinj, and Jesenice, as well as the police, intervening. A helicopter cannot take off at the moment due to bad weather conditions.

A severe cold front arrived in Slovenia in the early morning hours, and the snow line has already dropped from the highest peaks in some places in Gorenjska to approximately 800 meters above sea level.

According to Arso data, 25 centimeters of fresh snow have fallen so far at Kredarica, 19 centimeters at Zelenica, 17 centimeters at Vogel, 14 centimeters at Vršič, and 11 centimeters at Krvavec.