An avalanche struck the slopes of Mount Tosc at an altitude of 2 275 m (7 464 feet) in Slovenia’s Julian Alps on Sunday, October 5, killing three Croatian mountaineers.

The victims were part of a group of seven, descending toward the Bohinj valley when unstable snow and strong winds triggered the slide.

The rescue operation was coordinated by the Slovenian Mountain Rescue Service (GRZS) from Stara Fužina, under commander Miha Arh. Over 60 rescuers were involved in the two-day recovery effort. One body was recovered late on Sunday before the search was halted due to avalanche danger.

Improved weather on Monday, October 6, allowed helicopters to resume operations and locate the remaining two victims, found approximately 350 m (1 148 feet) down slope in a ravine.

The Julian Alps, located in northwestern Slovenia near the Italian border, are highly exposed to abrupt weather changes and snow instability, especially during autumn storms.

Avalanche conditions typically increase in the Julian Alps during early autumn, when fresh snow overlays older melt–freeze layers, creating unstable bonding between snow strata.

According to national rescue data, Slovenia’s mountains record around 20 fatalities annually, mostly due to avalanches and falls.

A scientific abstract published in 2025 describes avalanches as Slovenia’s most fatal natural hazard, responsible for about one death per year on average.

Mount Tosc, part of Triglav National Park, is a well-known alpine destination and a frequent route for hikers and ski-tourers. Authorities advised the public to monitor official avalanche warnings and avoid high-elevation routes during unstable weather cycles.