(Reuters) – Two people are still missing after an avalanche in the Lech/Zwers ski area in western Austria on Sunday initially led to a search for 10 people whose burial was feared, Austrian news agency APA reported.
The avalanche occurred around 3 pm (1400 GMT), Apa said, adding that several helicopters and search teams deployed shortly thereafter.
The APA news agency quoted Hermann Fierscher from the Lech/Zwers tourism office as saying that the suspicion of 10 people being buried by an avalanche is based on a skier’s video that showed “how skiers come into contact with the avalanche”.
One of those rescued was injured and was airlifted to a hospital in Innsbruck. A member of the Regional Security Council, Christian Gantner, told APA that another person was injured, but managed to free himself and go to another hospital.
Six other people seen in the video were unharmed.
The Algerian News Agency reported that the fate of the latter is not yet known.
Lish / Zwers markets themselves As “one of the best ski areas in the world” and part of the cradle of alpine skiing. A recent entry for ski conditions on the resort’s website warns of a “significant avalanche hazard.”
The resort’s website said the ski area closed as of 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on Sunday, and that there would be an update on skiing at 8 a.m. (0700 GMT) on Monday. A resort spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.
Written by Paul Carell. Editing by Hugh Lawson
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