2009 Buachaille Etive Mòr avalanche

2009 Buachaille Etive Mòr avalanche
Buachaille Etive Mòr viewed from Glen Etive
Date24 January 2009 (2009-01-24)
Time12:00 GMT (UTC)
LocationBuachaille Etive Mòr, Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
Coordinates56°38′50″N 4°53′52″W / 56.64722°N 4.89778°W / 56.64722; -4.89778
CauseSnow disturbed by mountain climbers
Deaths3
Non-fatal injuries1 serious, 5 minor

The 2009 Buachaille Etive Mòr avalanche happened on Buachaille Etive Mòr in Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands, UK, on 24 January 2009. Three mountain climbers were killed and one sustained a serious shoulder injury. Two of the dead were from Northern Ireland and the other was from Scotland. Nine people from at least three countries in at least two parties were involved in the incident on a mountain that is well recognised by tourists to Scotland. While avalanches are not uncommon in the area, very few deaths are reported—this incident has been described as "one of the worst disasters in the Scottish mountains for decades".