Avalanche in Italian Alps leaves 6 dead and 10 trapped

A massive avalanche struck Saturday morning in the Italian Alps, sweeping away and burying about 10 skiers, killing at least six of them, state news reported. At the time, about 10 alpine skiers were at more than 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) altitude, on their way to the summit of the second-highest mountain in Vedrette di Ries, a mountain group not far from Italy's border with Austria near Val Pusteria (or Puster Valley). Some managed to dig themselves out from under the snow. But it's possible, according to ANSA, that a number remained buried hours later and that the death toll may rise. The steep terrain and dangerous conditions -- the avalanche risk was a 3 on a 1-to-5 scale, 5 being the most dangerous -- challenged those trying to help survivors and search for others. ANSA noted that helicopters flying to the area, carrying rescuers and rescue dogs have to be especially light to land safely.
Saturday's avalanche comes just over a month after five people, who were among two groups of Czech skiers, died in an avalanche not far away in western Austria.