Five climbers die in two separate falls in same area

All of the deaths were in the Sierra de Gredos

Five mountaineers lost their lives in the same mountain range last weekend, Spanish emergency services have reported.

Three people fell 450 metres to their deaths in the Sierra de Gredos, an Ávila mountain range that is popular with hikers, as they climbed toward the Almanzor Peak (2,592 metres) on Sunday.

The accident was reported shortly before 2pm by a fellow climber who witnessed the fall.

Rescuers later found the bodies of two men and a woman who did not have any ID. A witness said they were wearing safety equipment.

The deaths came just a day after another incident. Two other mountaineers lost their lives in the area of La Araña, also in the Sierra de Gredos. The victims have been identified as a 41 year-old-man and a 45 year-old-man.

Over the last decade, 225 people have died in mountain sport-related activities.