Dead by avalanche: 'Now that it is raining, it becomes even more dangerous'

ischgl - A 43-year-old Czech died on Thursday because he ended up under an avalanche. Everywhere in the Alps it is chaos due to heavy snowfall. 'Now that the rain is falling, the snow is becoming heavier and it is going to slide from all sides', says Dutchman Hans ter Braak from the Austrian town of Mittelberg, where safety measures are being tightened up.

Several footpaths, cross-country trails and motorways are closed. No superfluous luxury, says Ter Braak. He lives in Austria and knows the dangers. 'It is now raining everywhere. That makes it extra dangerous, 'says Ter Braak.

'The snow is getting heavy. It moves up the road from the mountain slopes. Even the simplest trails are now dangerous. '