Item: The Longyearbyen Fatal Avalanche Accident 19th December 2015, Svalbard - Lessons Learned From Avalanche Rescue Inside a Settlement
-
-
Title: The Longyearbyen Fatal Avalanche Accident 19th December 2015, Svalbard - Lessons Learned From Avalanche Rescue Inside a Settlement
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA
Authors:
- Martin Indreiten [ The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway ] [ Arctic Safety Centre, Longyearbyen, Norway ] [ Longyearbyen Red Cross, Avalanche Rescue Group, Longyearbyen, Norway ]
- Christian Svarstad [ The Governor of Svalbard, police department, Longyearbyen, Norway ]
Date: 2016-10-02
Abstract: A fatal avalanche hit houses in the city of Longyearbyen early Saturday morning the 19th of December 2015 after an extreme winter storm event. The avalanche destroyed 11 houses and trapped more than 20 people inside demolished buildings. Nine of the trapped people were buried in the snow for up to two hours before being rescued. A massive rescue operation was organized involving the police, fire department, hospital and the local Red Cross. In addition to the organized rescuers, more than one hundred volunteers from the community took part in the operation. The following paper presents a detailed account of how the massive rescue operation limited the losses to two fatalities and eight hospitalized, and additionally lessons learned from the rescue operation.
Object ID: ISSW16_O16.01.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: Avalanche accident, urban avalanche, rescue
Page Number(s): 356-362
Subjects: Avalanche accident rescue urban avalanche
-