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Aside from the obvious (snow build up) there were a combination of events.

the weather conditions and tempratures at the time (huge amount of snow deposits) and the previous months historical weather conditions and tempratures (melting freezing and fresh snow) causing a layer of unstable ice particles deep below the snow.

The question should be what were the causes of so many deaths.

Again there were a combination of events.

1. building of properties within the restricted areas of known avalanche risk

2. the avalanche committee ignoring the meteorological advisor's advice to evacuate the valley prior to the disaster, and by default trapping thousands of locals and tourists in the danger area to the point of rationing of food being enforced during the ensuing period.

3. tourist were still entering the valley when the warning had already been issued

4. whilst avalanches were happening daily in areas surrounding the village nobody considered the danger building directly above the village where no avalanches were occurring until it was too late.

Having said all that many were very fortunate, as the area that was devasted was relatively empty of people due to the town council holding an entertainment event in the centre to maintain moral, some that lost their lives had unfortunatly left the event early and were exposed to the full force of the avalanche.

Galtur has since had defence walls built with an integrated avalanche centre dedicated to the research of the cause and effect of the avalanche.

It has to be said Galtur is such a wonderful village, with the most welcoming of local people and well worth a visit any time of year.

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