Skiers hit by avalanche

A group of nine skiers was hit by an avalanche in the French ski resort of Tignes on 13 February, killing four members of the group. Rescue helicopters and sniffer dogs searched for the remaining five people, who had been buried under the snow. The avalanche was apparently set off by skiers higher up the mountain. According to the head of the National Police in Courchevel, the avalanche took place in an area where snow builds up in such a way that it is difficult to move. Because of this, the search for victims could take some time.