Three people missing in avalanche at Swiss ski resort

An avalanche at the top Swiss ski resort of Zermatt swept away at least three people Monday, media said, and authorities warned of the risk of more disasters amid heavy winds and snowfall.

Police in the Valais canton in southern Switzerland said on X, the former Twitter, that the avalanche hit on an off-piste sector of the Riffelberg district of Zermatt.

“Several people were swept away. Searches are underway,” the announcement added.

A police spokesman later told the Keystone-ATS news agency that at least three people were missing and rescuers were still digging through snow despite the bad weather.

Heavy snowfall and very strong winds had prompted authorities to warn of a major avalanche risk in the southern Swiss Alps.

The risk was considered especially high in the Grisons and Valais cantons, both popular ski destinations.

“Very large, and in some cases extremely large, spontaneous avalanches are to be expected,” the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) said.

Before Monday, 14 people had died in 12 avalanches and accidents in Switzerland so far this season, the SLF said. Most of the victims have been cross-country skiers.