La Aragonese mountains dawn in mourning after a serious accident in the Aragonese Pyrenees. avalanche in Panticosa in the vicinity of Tablato peak, in the vicinity of the spa of Panticosa (Huesca)It has claimed the lives of three mountaineers and left a fourth person slightly injured by hypothermia, on a day that many had chosen to enjoy the snow and the sun.
The accident has particularly shocked the mountaineering community and the residents of the valley, because the victims were people very experienced in high mountain environmentsThese incidents are well-known in the Pyrenees and among ski touring enthusiasts. The scale of the rescue operation, coordinated in record time, and the subsequent statements from the authorities have once again brought an uncomfortable reality to the forefront: Absolute safety in the mountains does not exist.
The avalanche in Panticosa: what happened and where it occurred
The accident occurred in the west face of Tablato peak, a peak located in the vicinity of Panticosa spain the Aragonese Pyrenees. The group of six people were practicing mountain skiing or ski touring about 2.700 meters, in an area very popular with enthusiasts due to its significant elevation change and classic routes.
According to information provided by the Civil Guard and the emergency services, the avalanche occurred in the early afternoon. 112 Aragón received the alert around 13:00-13:10 hours, when one of the members of the group, who had managed to escape unharmed, managed to contact the emergency services and He located the site of the incident with considerable accuracy..
The avalanche was a consequence of the rupture of a snow slabA slab avalanche is a type of avalanche typical of alternating periods of cold and snowfall, in which the snowpack forms layers. One of these layers fractures and slides down over the layers below, dragging with it the snow and ice in its path, as well as any people on the slab.
The Director General of the Interior of the Government of Aragon, Miguel Ángel Clavero, he explained that it is “a typical winter avalanche of cold-snow, cold-snow”with laminated plates, one of which breaks and causes slippage. A wide slide of ice and snow, with a long downhill route.
A highly skilled group surprised by the avalanche
The six people involved were mountaineers with a high level of experience in high mountaineering and ski touring. Authorities and representatives of the mountaineering community in Aragon have insisted that it was not an inexperienced group, but rather skiers who knew the terrain and conditions of the Pyrenees very well.
Among the victims was the pediatrician of San Jorge Hospital in Huesca, Jorge García DihinxThe 55-year-old was well-known in both the healthcare field and the mountaineering community. He was passionate about snow sports and a member of the Peña Guara club from Huesca and author of the weather website “themetethatiscoming”, a reference for those who check the snow and weather conditions before heading out to the mountains.
His partner also lost her life alongside him. Natalia Román (also cited as Natalia Ramón in some sources), 36 years old and a native of Zaragoza, who shared her passion for high mountaineering. The third deceased is Eneko Arrastua, mountaineer of Irun (Guipúzcoa)A keen skier and mountain runner, member of the group Kbrnzs, heir to the well-known Mugalaris of the Gipuzkoa town.
The person with minor injuries is a 29-year-old woman from Ordizia (Guipúzcoa), who suffered hypothermia and blows after being partially buried by snow. The other two people, men from 60 and 51 years old, residents of Ordizia and Zaragoza respectively, they were unharmed and were able to leave the area on their own.
These two unharmed people have played a key role: They are the ones who have raised the alarmproviding precise data on the group's location, which has allowed the operation to be activated and rescue resources to be concentrated quickly.
How the rescue unfolded on Tablato Peak
After receiving the warning, the Center 112 Aragon A large-scale operation was activated, involving various specialized units. The following were mobilized: Mountain Rescue and Intervention Groups (GREIM) de Panticosa, Jaca and Huesca, the Air Unit of the Civil Guard, healthcare personnel of 061, the 112 helicopter and several patrols of Citizen security from the Sabiñánigo and Biescas area.
A team also arrived at the scene about 15 mountain specialists from the Civil Guard, accompanied by Two dogs trained to search for people in avalanchesThese canine resources, along with the experience of the rescuers, are crucial when every minute counts, especially in cases of people buried totally or partially under the snow.
The doctor of 061 who was integrated into the operation with the GREIM was the one certified the deaths of the victims in the area of the accident itself. Subsequently, the Funeral services transported the bodies to the Institute of Legal Medicine of Zaragoza to perform the corresponding autopsies.
Anticipating that it could be an even larger group, the Interior Ministry also activated the Huesca Firefighters and contact was maintained with the Military Emergency Unit (UME)although his intervention was ultimately not necessary. The Government Delegate in Aragon, Fernando Beltran, he indicated that it was “a fairly long slide of ice and snow” and highlighted the speed with which the exact point of the avalanche was located.
As the head of the GREIM explained, Bain Gonzalez, in the area there was also another group that practiced so-called “self-help”Immediate help provided by fellow climbers or nearby mountaineers after an avalanche. This initial assistance, along with the arrival of rescue teams, allowed several people to be pulled from the snow in the first few minutes, crucial for their survival.
Dimensions of the avalanche and snow conditions in the area
The dimensions of the avalanche give an idea of the violence of the phenomenon. The teams deployed have described a avalanche approximately 300 meters wide by 700 meters long, with snow depths reaching up to them 12 meters in some places. Although The amount of accumulated snow was not particularly large In the area, conditions were conducive to the formation of tectonic plates.
In the days leading up to the event, the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) had issued a part of avalanches warning of the presence of Fresh snow and wind slabs in the high elevations of the Pyrenees. The level of danger was at 2 5 ona situation that, although not the most extreme, can to bury a person, either partially or completelyespecially on slopes that are conducive to it and overloaded by the passage of skiers.
The thicknesses estimated by AEMET indicated between 5 and 15 centimeters of new snow from 1.300-1.500 meters in altitude, increasing to 60-80 centimeters at around 2.100 metersAt higher elevations, such as that of Tablato peak, the accumulations could be greater, with layers of snow heavily influenced by the wind and the orography.
In addition to the recent snowfall, the risk of snow avalanches on high slopes that had not been cleared after the weekend storm. Sun exposure is another determining factor: the sun can destabilize the snowpack and encourage the formation of wet snow avalanches at medium and high altitudes, especially during the middle hours of the day.
In the Tena and Aragón sector, where Panticosa is located, the campaign “Safe Mountain”The initiative, promoted by the Government of Aragon, Aramon and the Aragonese Mountaineering Federation (FAM), had already warned that “The weak layers at the base of the mantle remain active” in the north-facing slopes above 2.000 meters and recommended "Maximum prudence" in that type of terrain.
Who are the victims of the landslide in Panticosa?
The impact of this tragedy is amplified by the prominence and affection the deceased inspired in their respective communities. The three mountaineers who lost their lives were part of a group closely linked to the Pyrenees and to promoting mountain culture.
One of the victims is Jorge García Dihinxpediatrician of San Jorge Hospital of Huesca and a well-known social media influencer, where he had accumulated hundreds of thousands of followers on your Instagram account @jorgegarciadihinxIn addition to his professional work, he was a role model for many mountain enthusiasts thanks to his publications on the subject. meteorology, ski touring, health, nutrition and active living.
His partner, Natalia RománThe 36-year-old woman from Zaragoza shared that passion. Both were regulars on the Pyrenean peaks and ski mountaineering routes. Social media and mountaineering circles have collected numerous messages highlighting their commitment to safety, knowledge of the Pyrenees and love for these mountains.
The third death is Eneko Arrastua, 48 years old, a native and resident of IrunHe was very involved in outdoor sports, he practiced skiing, trail running and high mountain activitiesHe was part of the group Kbrnzs, formerly known as the Mugalaris of Irún, very popular for their challenges and outings in the Pyrenean environment.
The fourth person affected, who has managed to survive, is a 29-year-old woman, resident in Ordizia (Guipúzcoa)She was located half buried When the rescue teams arrived, they were showing symptoms of hypothermia but conscious. She was evacuated by helicopter to San Jorge Hospital of Huescawhere he is receiving medical attention.
The other two members of the group, men from 60 and 51 yearsresidents of Ordizia and Zaragoza, turned out completely unharmedIn addition to raising the alarm, they collaborated with emergency teams in the initial search and support efforts in the area.
Institutional reactions and mourning in the Aragonese mountains
The news of the avalanche has provoked a wave of institutional reactions and expressions of condolence. The President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge AzconShe has cancelled her schedule to travel to Panticosa, from whose heliport she has addressed the media and conveyed her My condolences to the families and the mountaineering community.
Azcón emphasized that it was “much-loved and expert people, not only mountaineers but also meteorologists”, and that knowledge they had of the mountain It was among the highest in the country. For the president of Aragon, what happened was a “stroke of bad luck” who has taken the life of “Three lovers of the Pyrenees who lived for and through the Pyrenees”.
During his speech, Azcón insisted that “The Aragonese mountains are in mourning” and has described the event as “one of the worst avalanches in living memory” in the community, both because of the number of victims and because of their prominence in the mountaineering community. He has refrained from officially releasing the names until the Civil Guard formally notifies the families of their identities.
The Socialist candidate for the Aragonese presidency has also traveled to Panticosa. Pillar Joywho has decided to suspend his pre-campaign schedule. He has sent messages via social media. A message of affection to the families and has expressed his recognition of the work of the rescue and emergency services, especially valuing the work of the mountain Civil Guard.
The Government Delegate in Aragon, Fernando Beltran, has appeared from the area to detail some aspects of the event and, above all, to emphasize the importance of the Exercise caution on any mountain outingBeltrán has reiterated that “Zero risk does not exist”Even if you are well-equipped and the conditions seem acceptable, and he explained that the avalanche was due to the fracture of a snow slab which has dragged both snow and ice, causing skiers to be run over.
The message from rescue teams: self-rescue and caution
Beyond the account of the accident, mountain rescue specialists have taken the opportunity to highlight several key points that can make all the difference in situations like this. The head of the GREIM, Bain GonzalezHe explained that, in this case, the immediate action of another group that was in the area practicing “self-rescue” It allowed several people to be unearthed in the first moments.
Self-rescue involves colleagues and other nearby groups undertaking a first quick rescue after the avalancheUsing safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe) and applying basic search protocols. This type of intervention is crucial because, in the event of total burial, the The first few tens of minutes are crucial for survival.
González insists that we must maintain and strengthen the culture of prudence in the winter mountains. Although the affected group was very experienced, the professionals recall that in the days following snowfall, with the presence of wind slabs and weak layers at the base of the mantleThey require maximum attention when choosing routes, slopes and directions.
In this specific case, the avalanche has been described as especially dramatic because, out of a group of six people, Three have lost their livesOne person was injured and only two escaped unharmed. Interior officials from the Government of Aragon insist that incidents like this should serve as a reminder that anyone traveling in high mountain terrain, even experienced individuals, must be even more cautious. responsible and aware of the risks.
The regional authorities and the Government Delegation in Aragon have reiterated that they will continue launching safety alerts and campaignsas well as updating avalanche risk information. Even so, they emphasize that the final decision to go out, the choice of route, and the assessment of the terrain always depend on those who put on their skis or boots.
The Aragonese Pyrenees remind us once again that, despite being the mountains as a refuge and driving force of life for thousands of people, The mountain always has an element of uncertainty.The avalanche on Tablato peak leaves a deep void among family, friends, and the mountaineering community, and at the same time reinforces the message that, no matter how much experience and preparation one has, it is essential to exercise extreme caution at any sign of instability in the snow.
