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, local media has reported.
One person has been rescued but the search for survivors is continuing at Lech-Zuers resort, they added.
Officials said about 100 people are involved in the search, which also includes several helicopters and rescue teams with dogs.
Avalanche warnings have been in place in the area throughout the Christmas weekend.
The avalanche happened at about 15:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at an altitude of 2,700m (8,858ft).
Rescuers have asked for headlamps so the search can continue through the night, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) reported.
"We are doing everything we can to rescue the winter sports enthusiasts," APA has quoted the municipality of Lech as saying.
But eight of those individuals have since been identified and are no longer cause for concern, the dpa news agency reported, citing a spokesman of the rescue team.
One person was recovered quickly, officials said.
About 200 rescue workers were searching the avalanche path near the upmarket Lech ski resort in the Arlberg region.
The avalanche struck on a face on the Trittkopf mountain between Zürs 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, it added.
-bbc
