Four skiers feared dead after Swiss avalanche

GENEVA: Four people were feared dead Saturday after an avalanche hit the Swiss ski area of Vallon d'Arbi, with one body already recovered and rescue workers searching for three others.

Police in Valais canton said that search operations continued until 3:30 am (0230 GMT) on Saturday, then resumed after a break at 9:00 am.

 "During the night, one body was recovered. The formal identification process is ongoing," the police statement said.

Those still missing were identified as a Swiss citizen and two French nationals.

Vallon d'Arbi is a route best suited to skilled skiers, which is sporadically closed for safety reasons. Tourism sites recommend visitors ski with a guide.



Police said the route was open at the time of Friday's avalanche.

The accident is the latest in a series of fatal incidents affecting skiers in Switzerland this season, with a series of avalanches killing three in the Swiss Alps last month.