Two people missing after huge avalanche triggered in Austria

Rescue workers are searching for two people feared buried by an enormous avalanche in western Austria.

Initially, up to 10 people were feared missing, based on video from a witness.

But eight of those individuals have since been identified and are alive. They are from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the US, Croatia and Bosnia, tourism officials have said.

It is assumed the two remaining people are buried under the avalanche, they added.

The search operation will continue until they are found, with around 200 rescue workers scouring the avalanche path near the upmarket Lech ski resort in the Arlberg region.

The avalanche struck on a face on the Trittkopf mountain between Zurs and Lech at about 3pm local time (2pm in the UK), with released snow tumbling as far as nearby ski runs, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) said.

Several helicopters and search teams soon raced to the site, with searchlights set up to continue the search after darkness fell, and dogs used to try to find the missing.

What caused the avalanche?

There are different types of avalanches, but they can be triggered by natural weather or temperature conditions or by people when they disturb unstable snow.

The avalanche followed days of snow in the high alpine region and unseasonably warm weather on Christmas Day, the APA reported, citing local police.

The Arlberg region in western Austria is famous for its ski and snowboard resorts.