Death toll from avalanches in Austrian Alps rises to 9

Vienna, Feb. 6 (BNA) The Austrian authorities warned today, Saturday, of a “significant” risk of avalanches in the west of the country, after nine people were killed within 24 hours.

Police said eight people died in three separate incidents in the states of Vorarlberg and Tirol on Friday. Four Swedish citizens and their Austrian guide were killed in an avalanche near the Austrian-Swiss border, the Associated Press reported.

On Saturday, Tyrol authorities reported that one person had died near the village of Schmirn in an avalanche, and another person was missing.

Skiers and snowboarders drawn to the Alps in good weather have warned that even minor tremors could trigger a snowslide.

FKN