A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Norway for a member of a foreign hiking group who went missing following an avalanche Friday evening. Authorities were alerted to the incident by the group itself.
Police confirmed that two hikers have been safely brought down from the mountains, while the search continues for a third individual. “We have just gotten two people from the group safely down,” said operations leader Yngvar Fredriksen, according to NRK.
The avalanche occurred in the Helligvatnet area, located between Beisfjord and the Swedish border. The challenging conditions are hampering rescue efforts.
“We have air resources in the area, but due to the weather, we have not been able to deploy search teams into the avalanche area. We also haven’t been able to send in volunteers along the ground due to the avalanche risk,” Fredriksen stated.
As of 8:00 PM local time, the search continued with helicopter support. Rescuers are attempting to locate the missing hiker’s cell phone signal. “We have air resources in the air now looking to see if they can get a signal from the missing person’s mobile phone,” Fredriksen said.
Police plan to resume the rescue operation as soon as weather conditions improve Saturday morning.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the hiking group was on a day trip or a multi-day excursion, or the level of experience of those involved.
Police confirm the avalanche occurred in the Helligvatnet area, between Beisfjord and the Swedish border.
Extensive Resources Deployed
A significant number of resources have been mobilized for the rescue operation, but challenging conditions are complicating the search, according to police. The Main Rescue Coordination Centre for Northern Norway stated they are deploying a rescue helicopter, an ambulance helicopter, and potentially a police helicopter from Tromsø.
“We have sent a rescue helicopter from Tromsø and the air ambulance from Harstad is arriving soon. Then we will know more,” said rescue leader Erlend Sæterbø Hassel to NRK.
Norwegian People’s Aid and the Red Cross are also participating in the rescue efforts.
Action leader Sander Lundhal of the Narvik Red Cross Rescue Corps says conditions are challenging for rescue crews on the scene.
The incident underscores the dangers of backcountry travel during periods of high avalanche risk.
Rescue crews from the Red Cross have been deployed, but significant avalanche danger and challenging weather conditions are complicating the search.
High Avalanche Risk in the Area
A significant avalanche warning (orange level) is in effect for the Narvik area. The risk is expected to increase to red level on Saturday.
“Unstable conditions. Large avalanches can release on their own at higher elevations. New snow and wind will add further stress to an already weak snowpack,” Varsom.no reports for the Ofoten region.
Karsten Müller, on-call leader for avalanche forecasting at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), said a high avalanche risk is forecast for Ofoten and the Narvik area in particular.
There is a significant avalanche risk (level 3) in the area, and the risk is expected to increase further on Saturday.
Graphic: Varsom.no
With the current conditions, large avalanches can release on their own and be triggered by people traveling in the area.
“We are most concerned about the strong winds and new snow at higher elevations. There is a lot of snow on a weak snowpack. We have had strong winds and precipitation throughout the week, which has built up large, dangerous slabs at higher elevations,” Müller said.
Published Updated
