Eight of the 10 people reported missing this Sunday after a snow avalanche on a ski slope in Austria have been found, six of whom were unharmed and two were taken to hospital for injuries.
The information was provided by the security advisor for the Voralberg region, where the accident occurred, according to the Austrian public broadcaster ORF.
The initial information pointed to ten missing people and came forward after showing a video of the avalanche.
They have yet to find two people who were hit by the avalanche, according to the video.
However, so far, no person has been reported missing by family or friends.
“It is very positive that so far there have been no reports of missing persons,” Voralberg region security adviser Gantner said, adding that the search will continue until it is clear no one was left under the snow.
In order to determine if there are people buried, the authorities asked the tourist establishments in the area to report the disappearance of the clients.
The rescue team asked the public to notify relatives or acquaintances whose whereabouts are unknown and that witnesses to the avalanche present any information they have.
The avalanche started at around 3:00 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. GMT) at an altitude of 2,720 meters and struck a ski slope in the village of Lech, in the Vorarlberg region of western Austria.
After the first alert, search and rescue means were mobilized to the place.
Several helicopters were involved in search operations until nightfall.
Air resources are maintained, in order to be able to move the wounded more quickly as they are located.
According to police reports, around 200 people are mobilized in search and rescue operations, in which canine teams also participate.
Hermann Fercher, head of the rescue team, told the Austrian public broadcaster ORF that the rescue work would continue overnight if necessary.
“We are doing everything possible to save winter athletes,” the authorities stressed.
Source: TSF
