Two people missing after huge avalanche triggered in Austria

Rescue workers are searching for two people feared buried by an enormous avalanche in western Austria, local media has reported.

Initially up to 10 people were feared missing, based on video from a witness.

But eight of those individuals have since been identified and are no longer feared buried, dpa reported, citing a spokesman of the rescue team.

One person was recovered quickly, officials said.

About 200 rescue workers were searching the avalanche path near the upmarket Lech ski resort in the Arlberg region.

The avalanche struck on a face on the Trittkopf mountain between Zürs and Lech at about 3pm local time (2pm GMT), with released snow tumbling as far as nearby ski runs, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) said.

Several helicopters and search teams soon raced to the site, it added.

“We are doing everything we can to rescue the winter sports enthusiasts,” APA quoted the municipality of Lech as saying.

The search would continue “all night if we have to,” Lech-Zuers tourism director Hermann Fercher said during an interview on ORF Austrian public television.

Searchlights were set up on the snow mass to continue the search after darkness fell, and dogs were being used to try to find the missing.

There are different types of avalanches, but they can be triggered by natural weather or temperature conditions or by people when they disturb unstable snow.

The avalanche followed days of snow in the high alpine region and unseasonably warm weather on Christmas Day, the APA reported, citing local police.

The Arlberg region in western Austria is famous for its ski and snowboard resorts.