At least six skiers killed in Italian Alps avalanche

The avalanche struck at an altitude of more than 3,000m (9,800ft), on Monte Nevoso in the Ahrntal in South Tyrol.

12 March 2016, 5:48pm

1 min read

At least six skiers have been killed in an avalanche in the Italian Alps, with several others possibly missing or injured.

The avalanche struck at an altitude of more than 3,000m (9,800ft), on Monte Nevoso in the Ahrntal in South Tyrol. The number of survivors is not clear. It is also unknown whether there are any missing persons.

Local news site Alto Adige reported that three helicopters had been used to take mountain rescue teams and specialist avalanche dogs to the scene.

According to Alto Adige, the skiers were of various nationalities, including Italians. Wounded people were being evacuated by helicopter and taken to hospital by ambulance.

The head of the rescue mission, Rafael Kostner, told Italian media that the high altitude was complicating the rescue.