Man miraculously survives 7 hours buried in snow

The man was part of a group that went skiing in the Lyngen Mountains, despite authorities warning of a high risk of avalanches - Photo: ALAMY

According to The Guardian on March 19, a tourist buried after an avalanche in northern Norway was miraculously saved after seven hours buried under snow.

The man, believed to be in his 40s or 50s, was found conscious under about 1.5 metres of snow in Lyngen, Norway.

He survived nearly seven hours thanks to a small space of air, allowing him to breathe and call the police for help.

Immediately, the rescue team deployed to search and until around midnight (local time), he was rescued.

"I was amazed that he was still alive. All the data and previous experience said it was impossible," said Kristian Midtgard, a rescue worker and his dog Whiskey who discovered the victim.

According to Dr Audun Hetland, an avalanche researcher at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, most victims buried under snow will suffocate within 10 minutes.

"There are some rare cases where people can survive longer. But surviving seven hours is almost unheard of in history," he said.

Lyngen Mayor Erik Larsen also expressed his surprise, calling it "a miracle".

The tourist was one of three skiers in the area who were swept away by an avalanche. Another member of the group was swept into the fjord below but managed to swim to shore and alert rescuers.

The remaining female tourist is still missing. Rescue teams are currently searching for her whereabouts.

The identities and nationalities of the tourists have not yet been released. Norwegian authorities continue to warn of a high risk of avalanches in the area, urging tourists to exercise caution when engaging in outdoor activities.

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