Warnings in Lapland after fatal avalanche in Sweden
The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) warns that the avalanche risk in four fell areas of Finnish Lapland is considerable at the moment.
That follows the death of a Norwegian man in an avalanche in the Kebnekaise area in Northern Sweden on Tuesday, reported by Swedish public broadcaster SVT.
The accident happened on Nallo mountain in the municipality of Kiruna, some 300 km west of the Finnish town of Muonio. The man was accompanied by 10 people, but was the only one caught in the avalanche, SVT says.
A police helicopter, mountain rescuers and an avalanche dog took part in the search for the victim. He was found alive but later declared dead in hospital.
FMI: Human-triggered avalanches “probable”
According to the FMI, natural avalanches in the Kilpisjärvi, Saariselkä, Luosto-Pyhä and Ruka areas are possible and human-triggered avalanches probable.
Meanwhile, the risk of an avalanche in Ylläs-Levi and Ounas-Pallas is rated moderate.
The FMI maintains an avalanche watch page on its website, which rates the probability of an avalanche in six fell areas in northern Finland daily.
Related stories from around the North:
Finland: March temperatures frostiest in five years, Yle News
Norway: Norway beefs up border patrol with powerful new snowmobiles, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Avalanche warning to snowmobilers in Swedish mountains, Radio Sweden
Russia: Arctic Russia military town left without heating and hot water, The Independent Barents Observer
