Austria: Eight Killed in Alps Avalanches

At least eight people have died in avalanches in the Austrian Alps on Saturday. Three Czech skiers were killed in the Murau region, while five others died in the Pongau area near Salzburg.

According to police, an avalanche swept away three members of a group of Czech skiers in the Murau region of Styria, burying them under the snow. Rescue services recovered the victims, but they were found dead.

Earlier, in the Pongau area near Salzburg, four skiers were killed and one injured when an avalanche swept away seven off-piste skiers, according to ÖRF.

Authorities had issued avalanche warnings. Gerhard Kremser, head of emergency services on Mount Pongau, stressed the seriousness of the situation.

On Tuesday, a 13-year-old child from the Czech Republic was also killed by an avalanche in Bad Gastein.

In total, 17 skiers have died in the Alps (Austria, France, Switzerland) since last weekend, following heavy snowfall.