Search for survivors after Swiss avalanche injures at least four people
During an operation involving eight helicopters, the injured were pulled out of the snow after being buried in a popular resort.
Tuesday 19 February 2019 20:10, UK
Mountain rescue teams are continuing to search for survivors after an avalanche in Switzerland left at least four people hurt, including one critically.
During an operation involving eight helicopters, the injured were pulled out of the snow after being buried in the popular ski resort of Crans-Montana.
Valais police said the avalanche happened near the Plaine Morte peak and resort operator CMA said an alarm went off shortly before 2.30pm local time.
The emergency operation also involved more than 240 police and rescue workers.
Commander Christian Varone said: "Rescuers arrived very quickly, they rescued four injured people including one whose life is in danger, and three were injured more superficially.
"Witnesses told us there could be more people under the snow, that is why we are pursuing the search with considerable means."
The avalanche comes ahead of a women's World Cup skiing event involving stars such as Switzerland's Lara Gut on the Mont Lachaux run at Crans-Montana.
Event spokesman Hugo Steinegger said Swiss military forces who had been deployed for the races were quickly sent to the avalanche site to help with the rescue operation.
He said the avalanche was not expected to affect the start of the event, which begins with training runs on Thursday.