Avalanche kills three in Valais, Swiss Alps

Three people have been killed and two others injured after an avalanche hit Valais area in southwestern Switzerland on March 31, 2018.

The skiers were part of a tour group and they were near the area of Fiescheralp, and at an altitude of nearly 2 500m (8 000 feet), when the snow mass detached.

Skiers from another group, who saw the avalanche, called in emergency services but the search had to be suspended over night because of bad weather.

"According to the investigation, the victims are Spaniards. Formal identification of the deceased is under way," a police statement said.

Heavy snow has been falling for days in the Alps and a series of avalanche warnings have been issued.

On March 29, 2018, police in the area had posted an advisory on their website to skiers.

The five swept away were all wearing detection devices, helping rescuers to locate the two survivors and airlift them to hospital.

Authorities say the search has now ended and the three bodies were being recovered on the morning of April 1.

Featured image: Rescue crews walk at an avalanche site near Fiesch, Switzerland, Sunday, April 1, 2018. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone)