Multiple avalanches hit Austria and Switzerland

Despite early fears a massive avalanche in Switzerland could have resulted in fatalities, police have confirmed all skiers thought to be buried in the snow have been accounted for.

Rescue forces and helicopters search for missing people after an avalanche swept down a ski piste in the central town of Andermatt, Switzerland. Picture: AP

An avalanche swept across a marked ski trail near the Swiss town of Andermatt on Thursday, injuring two people.

Four others either were rescued or extricated themselves from the snow unhurt. Police and rescuers searched the snowslide after witnesses said more people might be buried, but the operation ended with police saying there were no more victims.

The avalanche occurred mid-morning while many holiday skiers enjoyed mountain sunshine the day after Christmas. A police spokesman said it was an avalanche of considerable size.

The German dpa news agency reported that heavy snow in recent days has raised the avalanche danger to level three, meaning significant danger. The two slightly injured people were flown to a hospital by the Alpine rescue service.

Earlier, rescuers thought they could be hunting for possible victims of the avalanches after police reported “a number” of people were buried under snow.

Rescue forces search for possible victims of a Swiss avalanche. Picture: AP

Rescue forces search for missing people after an avalanche swept down a ski piste in the central town of Andermatt, Switzerland. Picture: AP

Video posted online shows a wall of snow engulfing the skiers as they frantically attempt to escape down the slope.

According to the Swiss paper Blick, the footage shows an off-piste skier being hunted by the authorities who may have triggered the avalanche.

“We are looking for this freerider,” said a Reno Pfister, state police spokesman in the Swiss canton of Uri.

RPolice said the avalanche was a “considerable size”. Picture: AP

The avalanche occurred midmorning on Thursday (local time) while many holiday skiers enjoyed mountain sunshine the day after Christmas. A police spokesman said it was an avalanche of considerable size and is believed to have covered an area measuring 20 metres by 50 metres.

Rescue workers search for skiers. Picture: AP

A rescue dog is among the searchers for skiers thought to be buried after an avalanche in Switzerland. Picture: AP

Meanwhile in Austria, three avalanches came down in Ankogel in the province of Carinthia, an Austrian police spokesman said.

The avalanche occurred while many holiday skiers enjoyed mountain sunshine the day after Christmas. Picture: Twitter

Helicopters and a rescue team at the scene. Picture: AP

One happened outside the secured ski slope and buried two free riders who were able to free themselves.

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Conditions became difficult for emergency services. Picture: AP

More than 60 rescue workers, helicopters and dogs were searching for people who might have been buried under a major avalanche that came down directly on the slope, he said.

Six people have been rescued, two of them with minor injuries but authorities fear that several other people may be buried. Picture: AP

Anne Jehn, director of Andermatt Ski Academy, was on the scene just after the avalanche hit and helped rescue a woman.

Speaking on Instagram she said: “She was ash grey. Shocked. But I guess she’ll be OK.”

According to the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, the area has an avalanche a danger level of three out of five.

Authorities search for buried skiers. Picture: AP

– with The Sun

Originally published as Multiple avalanches hit Austria and Switzerland