Desperate search for buried skiers after avalanches hit Austria and Switzerland
THREE avalanches hit the Austrian ski resort of Ankogel and one the Swiss resort of Andermatt today.
A major search has been launched after “a number” of people were buried under snow.
After a large avalanche spilled onto the piste at the Andermatt ski resort, two people with minor injuries were pulled from the snow and taken to hospital, a Swiss police spokesman said.
Danger for the area had been at level three on a scale of five, according to the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), which said fresh and wind-drifted snow was the main threat.
There could be more people buried under the snow and a large rescue squad was carrying out the search with considerable resources, he said.
Reto Pfister, state police spokesman in the Swiss canton of Uri, told NBC News: “We believe there are more people buried but we can’t say how many.”
The avalanche is believed to have covered an area measuring 65ft by 164ft.
Meanwhile in Austria, three avalanches came down in Ankogel in the province of Carinthia, an Austrian police spokesman said.
One happened outside the secured ski slope and buried two free riders who were able to free themselves.
More than 60 rescue workers, helicopters and dogs are searching for people who might have been buried under a major avalanche that came down directly on the slope, he said.
He added it was too early to say anything regarding potential fatalities.
The avalanche warning level had also been at three on a scale of five, according to Carinthia’s warning service.
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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 okay.”
According to the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, the area has an avalanche a danger level of three out of five.
