Five climbers died and one was seriously injured on Sunday when they plunged 200 metres down an ice- and rock-covered slope on Gabler mountain in Austria, an official said.
One of the six has been identified as a 34-year old man from the German state of Bavaria, and the rest of the team were also likely from Germany, rescue operations chief Martin Reichholf told DPA from the nearby village of Krimml.
The group was climbing on a glacier that sloped steeply downwards at an angle of 40 degrees, secured by a rope that tied them together.
"The second of the six slipped and pulled the others with him," Reichhold said.
The group first fell down a stretch of ice, and then over a rubble slope.
Another group of alpinists which was walking behind the six saw the accident happen at an altitude of about 3,000 metres, according to the rescue chief.
One witness saw that the group was about to turn back when the accident happened, because one of the group felt that the slope was too risky, state broadcaster ORF reported, citing Reichhold.
The only survivor of the group suffered multiple injuries and was flown to a hospital in Salzburg.
The dead were flown to the valley below by helicopter.