Five German mountaineers have tragically lost their lives following an avalanche in northern Italy, as confirmed by rescuers on Sunday. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon around 4pm, while the climbers were scaling the Cima Vertana in the Ortler mountains, at an altitude exceeding 3,500 metres (11,500 feet). Rescue operations revealed that three victims, comprising two men and a woman, were recovered deceased on Saturday. The bodies of two additional victims, a man and his 17-year-old daughter, were located on Sunday morning in South Tyrol. Alpine rescue spokesman Federico Catania stated, "They had been dragged to the lower part of the gully where the avalanche occurred. Rescue teams are now returning to the valley, also considering the worsening weather conditions at high altitude." The climbers were reportedly in three separate groups and were not travelling together at the time of the avalanche. Two men managed to survive the incident and were airlifted to a hospital in Bolzano for treatment. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the situation is complicated by deteriorating weather conditions in the region. This incident highlights the dangers associated with high-altitude climbing, particularly in unpredictable weather. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.