Austrian climber found guilty of manslaughter
Deutsche Welle
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A 37-year-old Austrian mountaineer has been found guilty of manslaughter after leaving his girlfriend to die during a climb on Austria's highest peak, Grossglockner. The court sentenced him to five months in prison and fined him €9,400 for gross negligence, as he failed to ensure her safety when she became exhausted near the summit. She froze to death in January 2025 after being left alone in freezing conditions without proper protection or救援请求.
The couple had fallen behind schedule during their ascent, with the woman becoming too tired to continue just 50 meters below the summit. The man decided to search for help alone, leaving his girlfriend exposed to harsh winds and cold temperatures. Prosecutors highlighted multiple errors, including not calling for rescue, ignoring messages, and letting her remain unprotected without an emergency blanket.
The case is unusual because climbing accidents are common but prosecutions are rare, even when mistakes lead to fatalities. The defendant argued his phone was on airplane mode to save battery, expressing deep remorse. Legal debates during the trial focused on liability in high-risk mountain activities and whether climbers assume such risks by default.
Austrian authorities noted that around 8,400 accidents occur annually in the Alps, resulting in about 250-300 deaths. This case highlights the potential legal consequences of negligence in mountaineering, setting a precedent for future
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/20/2026