Rescuers were searching for two people possibly buried in an avalanche at a ski resort in western Austria on Sunday.
Originally, 10 people were feared missing after the mass of snow, ice, and rocks began falling around 3 p.m. on Christmas Day at the Lech/Zuers free skiing area, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) reported.
A skier’s video that showed the avalanche had led to the initial estimate that 10 people had been buried, APA reported, citing Hermann Fercher of the Lech/Zuers tourist office.
One person, who was injured, was rescued. Another person was hurt, but able to free himself and get to a hospital, regional security councilor Christian Gantner told APA.
Six other people spotted in the skier’s video were not hurt, leaving only two people currently unaccounted for.
After reports of the avalanche, several helicopters and search teams were deployed, and about 200 people were involved in the immediate search.
Those involved in the search requested headlamps so they could continue their rescue mission into the evening, APA reported.
“We are doing everything we can to rescue the winter sports enthusiasts,” APA quoted the municipality of Lech as saying. “Searchlights were requested so that the search could continue in the dark.”
Lech/Zuers is a renowned ski area located in the Alps, and forms part of the cradle of Alpine skiing. The resort’s website said that due to the emergency, the skiing area has been closed as of 5 p.m. Sunday.
An update will be provided on whether the resort will reopen for Monday for skiing at 8 a.m. Monday morning.
With Post wires