Five dead and one injured in Austria avalanche

More than 50 avalanches were recorded in Austria's Tyrol region over 48 hours

Rescue workers stand at the Rettenbach glacier near Soelden after five winter sport enthusiasts were rescued after being hit by an avalanche. AFP

Five people died and another was injured on Friday when an avalanche struck Austria's Tyrol province, local rescue services said.

The victims were buried under snow in an area near the Swiss border, a rescue official said.

“Unfortunately five people lost their lives,” he said, and added that an injured woman was taken to hospital.

No details were given on the identity or nationality of those killed in the avalanche.

The weather services have urged caution after heavy snowfall this week.

More than 50 avalanches were recorded in the Tyrol region over 48 hours.

One of the other avalanches hit a slope in the famous ski resort of Soelden, burying five people who were all rescued alive, rescue workers said.

An average of about 20 people have been killed annually by avalanches in Austria in recent years.

The last two seasons were less deadly as the coronavirus pandemic reduced the number of skiers overall.