An avalanche in the Austrian Alps kills 2 people and 2 others are recovered

BERLIN (AP) — An avalanche near the Austrian ski resort of Soelden on Thursday left two people dead, authorities said. Another two people were rescued from under the snow.

The mountain rescue service said the body of one person was recovered while another was rescued alive but later died of his injuries, the Austria Press Agency reported. There was no immediate information on the condition of the two people who were rescued.

The avalanche apparently happened near a mountain refuge, the Martin-Busch-Huette, at about 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level. Rescuers were able to reach the site only by helicopter.

Officials initially suspected that up to 18 people might be involved, but those fears turned out to be unfounded. Most of the group of 17 skiers in the area at the time weren't hit by the avalanche, APA reported.

The avalanche warning level in Tyrol province, where Soelden is located, was “moderate,” the second level on a five-tier scale, but experts warned of the possibility of avalanches caused by loose snow.