Fatal crash on the Königssee: Man dies in a hiking accident

Fatal crash on the Königssee: Man dies in a hiking accident

A tragic accident occurred on Monday, July 7, 2025, in the Sagerecksteig in Schönau am Königssee in the district of Berchtesgadener Land. A 62-year-old man from Middle Franconia plunged into a steep channel and fell about 100 meters of altitude, with suffering serious injuries. Unfortunately the man died at the scene of the accident.

emergency services in alarm mode

The alpine operational group of the border police inspection piding was responsible for the rescue of the body and the inclusion of the accident. They were supported by eight mountain rescuers of the Berchtesgaden mountain rescue service and three members of the crisis intervention service of the Bergwacht Chiemgau.

But this incident is not an isolated case in the Alps. As early as July 5, 2025, there were several serious accidents in the mountains. A 24-year-old climber fell on the Watzespitze and died, while a rope team had to be saved in the Wilder Emperor because they could not find the abseiling slope. These events throw a light on the increasingly risky conditions in the mountains during the summer months, which often lead to serious accidents. According to alpin, June 2025 was already shaped by several deadly accidents, including the fall of a 38-year-old climber on the Dachstein and the crash of a 28-year-old in Tyrol.

The incidents illustrate the dangers of mountaineering and the challenges that mountain rescuers look towards. Many of the accidents result from inadequate equipment or unforeseen weather conditions. Therefore, experts repeatedly appeal to hikers and mountaineers to check their equipment and take the weather into account before the tour.

The further investigation into the accident on the Sagerecksteig is under the management of the Traunstein public prosecutor in order to clarify the exact circumstances of the tragic incident. Regardless of the numerous rescue operations, security in the mountains remains an important topic that affects both hikers and rescue workers.