In a tragic incident that unfolded in the Val Divedro region of the Italian Alps, a devastating avalanche claimed the lives of three experienced mountaineers.

The accident transpired on the eastern ridge of Punta Valgrande, a 2,856-meter peak situated on the border between Italy's Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province and Switzerland, within the community of Trasquera.

The victims, who hailed from the Verbania area, were part of a group of five friends embarking on a climbing expedition.

Among those who perished was Matteo Auguadro, aged 48, a seasoned sailor renowned for his participation in high-profile sailing competitions, including the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup as part of the Mascalzone Latino team.

The other two victims were Gaudenzio Bonini, 65, an auto school owner, and Matteo Lomazzi, 34, a cross-border worker.

According to reports, the group was ascending the slopes using crampons and had planned to ski down afterward.

As they made their way up a trail previously traversed by other skiers, the avalanche descended upon them, whisking away Auguadro, Bonini, and Lomazzi approximately 400 meters down the slope.

Tragically, despite immediate rescue efforts by fellow skiers and other spectators in the vicinity, the avalanche's victims could not be revived.

The remaining two members of the group miraculously escaped with their lives, only slightly grazed by the snow.

Emergency services responded swiftly with the deployment of two helicopters, including the Azienda Zero Piemonte helicopter and the Guardia di Finanza's unit, accompanied by alpine rescue technicians and financial police officers from the Sagf.

The survivors, although physically unharmed, were transported to the hospital for shock.

The northern Lepontine Alps, where the incident occurred, were under a level 3 avalanche warning, denoting a 'considerable' risk, according to the regional environmental protection agency (Arpa).

Several warnings had been issued in meteorological bulletins outlining the potential for snowy collapses triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts, owing to wind-driven snow accumulations.

The tragedy casts a somber light on the meticulous expertise required for navigating such treacherous terrains.

It underscores the imperative for awareness and precaution amidst the increasingly volatile conditions exacerbated by meteorological changes.

Matteo Auguadro was a notable figure not only in the sailing community, where he achieved global recognition, but also in his local community.

A graduate in economics and commerce, he was devotedly engaged with his family and left behind his wife and two young daughters.

This incident has prompted local authorities to urge all winter sport enthusiasts to meticulously evaluate the avalanche risks and to exercise prudence in their choice of routes in the mountains.

The broader public has also been advised to remain vigilant as winter conditions remain unpredictable.