Fewer accidents in the mountain summer 2025: Salzburg balance!

Fewer accidents in the mountain summer 2025: Salzburg balance!

The Salzburg mountain rescue is drawn a positive conclusion for the summer of 2025. Compared to the previous year, like the Salzburg mountain rescue on its side bergrettung-salzburg.at reports, less injured and dead. Between June 1 and September 7, there were a total of 305 missions, which means 74 less than in 2024 (379 missions).

June was particularly committed due to a phase of stable good weather, with fewer mountain athletes traveling in July. This led to a decrease in accidents. In August, however, the number of operations climbed again, as many sunny days attracted the guests to the mountains. It is tragic about these figures that 15 people still lost their lives, compared to 25 in the previous year. The number of injuries also dropped from 152 to 113. A bright spot is also the 142 uninjured, which represents a plus of one compared to last year.

The operations have once again shown that falls and crashes, mostly by stumbling and slipping, are the main causes of the accident. There were also numerous medical emergencies, exhaustion and disorientation. There were particularly frequent rescues of people in climbing climbing who often got into difficulties due to exhaustion.

Focus on missions

The most common missions took place in Pinzgau (122), followed by the Pongau (71) and Flachgau (50). Mountain rescuers also had to work in bad weather or at night in Terreno, as helicopters often couldn't fly. The Rauris local office recorded an increase in the Kitzlochklamm with 8 missions compared to the summer of 2024. Also before bad weather, this was increasingly observed, is urgently warned because many people are confused and found in snow fields.

In international comparison, Austria leads the nation ranking with 117 events and 8 dead. Germany follows with 69 events, there were 6 deaths. There were also 7 events in the Netherlands - however, there were 6 injuries. A dead person also comes from Belgium. Even if these numbers show a somewhat calming trend, the summer of 2025 makes you take notice.

The importance of careful planning

The mountain rescuers always appeal to the necessary tour planning. Factors such as the route, vertical meters, weather forecast as well as suitable equipment and provisions are important. Self -overestimation - especially on via ferrata - remains a central problem, and in an emergency requires quick action of the over 1,430 mountain rescuers, including more than 100 women who are ready for use day and night.

The Salzburg mountain rescue is supported by around 17,300 sponsors who are insured annually with a contribution of 36 euros annually against rescue costs (maximum amount of 25,000 euros). This is an important basis for the use of the mountain rescuers that are tirelessly in use in summer and winter.

Innovation and infrastructure

The initiative of the German Alpine Club (DAV) to modernize the huts and hiking trails also contributes to the safety and comfort of the mountain athletes. Around 325 publicly accessible huts in the Alps and low mountain ranges offer more than 20,000 accommodation. This initiative is investing over 10 million euros annually in the development of the huts, while around 1 million euros are also spent on route measures. A meaningful brochure entitled "Our Alpine Heimat" informs interested mountain athletes about huts and paths, as can be found at Alpenverein.de.

The balance of the Berg summer 2025 shows that it is still important to respect nature and to be careful when dealing with the mountains. Any use of the mountain rescuers illustrates how crucial a good preparation and the necessary level of humility are before nature.