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Norway avalanche kills five foreign tourists | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Five people have died after being caught in a major avalanche in northern Norway, local police say. | |
The casualties are reported to be four Swiss and one French citizen. A sixth man was pulled out and taken to hospital with "moderate injuries". | |
They were part of a larger group of skiers which apparently split into two groups before the avalanche. | |
Around 30 rescue workers, assisted by dogs and helicopters, were dispatched in the search and rescue operation. | |
The avalanche happened on Mt Sorbmegaisa in the north of Troms district, about 65km (40 miles) east of Tromso, on Monday afternoon. | The avalanche happened on Mt Sorbmegaisa in the north of Troms district, about 65km (40 miles) east of Tromso, on Monday afternoon. |
The identities of the five victims have not been released. | |
The survivor, thought to be Swiss, was taken to a hospital in Tromso. | |
"It's a man. His injuries are moderate and his condition is stable," hospital spokesman Jan Fredrik Frantzen, told AFP news agency. | |
Police said rescuers had detected signals from the skiers' avalanche transceivers buried in the snow. | Police said rescuers had detected signals from the skiers' avalanche transceivers buried in the snow. |
Troms police chief Tor-Einar Eilertsen said a medical helicopter had been despatched and the army had been asked to help. | Troms police chief Tor-Einar Eilertsen said a medical helicopter had been despatched and the army had been asked to help. |
In a later statement the police said around 30 people with sniffer dogs were helping in the rescue. | In a later statement the police said around 30 people with sniffer dogs were helping in the rescue. |
Avalanches are relatively common in Norway at this time of year, as higher spring temperatures start to warm and dislodge blocks of snow. | Avalanches are relatively common in Norway at this time of year, as higher spring temperatures start to warm and dislodge blocks of snow. |
Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share with the BBC? Please send us your comments. | Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share with the BBC? Please send us your comments. |