The bodies of two hikers have been found in the Italian Alps near Switzerland after they were struck by an avalanche.

The force of the avalanche, which hit at around 12pm on Sunday, pushed one of the victims into a lake near the bottom of the slope, while the other body was found buried in snow, Italy’s alpine rescue service said.

A search operation was launched after guards at a nearby dike reported seeing the avalanche hit the two hikers, authorities said.

An initial search on foot failed to find the hikers, prompting the use of a helicopter.

Read more:
What ‘dangerous’ mid-air plane blowout could mean for flights
Japan earthquake causes nuclear power station oil leak

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Despite strong winds, a helicopter was able to lower a rescue team aided by a dog unit.

The identities of the victims, who the rescue team said were wearing snowshoes, have not been released.

The avalanche hit at a 2,200m (7,200ft) level in Formazza Valley in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, the rescue service said.

Related posts:

‘Caring’ English teacher found dead after going missing in Japan British man arrested in Germany accused of spying for Russia Messi says he wants more trophies and is ‘excited’ by Paris Saint-Germain move Two dead and nine injured after tornado flips cars on Italian island Kurdish travel agent thinks about Channel migrant deaths every day but defends his role in network Hong Kong actor Kenneth Tsang ‘dies in COVID quarantine hotel’ Turkey makes formal request to UN to change name to Turkiye More towns and cities will be retaken, vows Zelenskyy, amid jubilation in Kherson Russia launches ‘massive missile attack’ on Ukraine North Korea simulates nuclear counterattack against US and South Korea China has ‘a responsibility’ for the ‘tragic’ situation in Myanmar Thousands of acres of blackened wasteland show the climate crisis is very real – and it’s getting worse