Up to three people missing in Swiss avalanche

VERBIER, Switzerland (AFP) Jan 17, 2004
One person was injured and up to three still missing after an avalanche hit a skiing area near the Swiss resort of Verbier on Saturday, police said.

Rescuers recovered two of the victims, who had either been skiing or snowboarding when the avalanche took place at Col des Mines, at an altitude of 2,500 metres, a local police spokesman, Martin Fux, told AFP.

One escaped unharmed and the other has been taken to hospital, he added.

According to the police, two or three people remain missing and a rescue party was looking for them.

Fux was unable to identify the nationality of the victims.

Verbier is a hugely popular resort that attracts snow fans from across Europe.

TERRA.WIRE