In September 2024, two tragic incidents occurred in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy. One involved the deaths of two experienced Italian climbers, Francesco Favilli and Filippo Zanin, who were ascending the Marmolada’s south face. Both fell to their deaths while attempting the Don Quixote route, though the exact cause of their fall is still under investigation.
In another incident, a Belgian hiker died while climbing the Tofanes, a popular area in the Dolomites. The 42-year-old victim, hiking with a 28-year-old friend, was reportedly not attached to the safety cables used in the Via Ferrata system at the time of the fall. Despite prompt rescue efforts by helicopter, the hiker was declared dead on the scene.
These incidents underscore the inherent risks of mountaineering and the importance of adhering to safety protocols, particularly in challenging terrains like the Dolomites.
