Two people were rescued on Monday after they were surprised and buried in snow by an avalanche during a snowmobile trip near Nuuk. The rescue operation was extensive and took place in the area called Nedkørslen, about 15 minutes by snowmobile northeast of the city, police said Monday afternoon.
On Facebook, the SAR Qamutit rescue group shares a number of details from the operation that led to the two victims being dug free from the snow.
SAR Qamutit is a rescue group established by the Qamutit snowmobile association, and the group consists of volunteers who assist the authorities in search and rescue operations.
Avalanche poles could not reach
The group states that a citizen raised the alarm about the accident, and that the police were then contacted. Several members of the group quickly reached the accident site, and according to SAR Qamutit, the two victims fortunately had so-called avalanche beacons, which made it possible to locate them under the snow:
- Since avalanche poles of 2½ meters could not reach the people, it was necessary to initiate urgent digging work, the group writes on Facebook.
According to SAR Qamutit, the first person was found about 3 meters under the snow and then intensive digging work continued in search of the second victim, who was found 4-5 meters under the snow.
- Alive thanks to efficient and well-coordinated cooperation
According to SAR Qamutit, 20-30 people participated in the excavation work, and the Qamutit SAR group sends a big thank you to everyone who participated in the rescue operation.
- The two people are alive thanks to fast, efficient and well-coordinated cooperation between all involved, writes the group, which also comes with the following reminder:
- We would also like to remind you that there is still an avalanche danger in the hinterland. Always remember an avalanche beacon, probe, shovel and preferably an avalanche backpack – and never travel alone.
Read the full report from the rescue group on their Facebook page:
