German man investigated after leaving 17-year-old on Zugspitze

Austrian police are investigating a 21-year-old German man for allegedly endangering the life of a 17-year-old girl on the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. The incident occurred during the night of November 1 to November 2, when the pair attempted a mountain expedition starting from the Ehrwald ski station in Tyrol, Austria, aiming to reach the summit by sunrise.

Extreme weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and temperatures dropping to -12 degrees Celsius, forced the climbers to stop at an altitude of approximately 2,500 meters. The man allegedly decided to descend alone, leaving the teenager stranded in knee-deep snow. The girl contacted emergency services and was eventually rescued by seven mountain rescuers who had to proceed on foot due to weather conditions preventing helicopter deployment.

The teenager was treated for hypothermia at a hospital in Garmisch-Partenkirchen before being discharged. Authorities in Tyrol are conducting a criminal investigation into the endangerment of a person’s life.