Six hikers killed in Austria avalanche

Source: China Daily | 05-04-2009 09:54

Innsbruck -- Authorities in western Austria say they have recovered the bodies of six people who died when an avalanche struck as they hiked in the Alps.

An Austrian rescue helicopter stands at the site of an  avalanche at the Schalfkogel peak near the major ski  resort of Soelden in the Austrian Alps May 3, 2009. Six mountain climbers were killed in an avalanche near ski  resort at the weekend, regional police said on Sunday. [Agencies]

Officials said the six were killed Saturday afternoon while hiking not far from the popular Soelden ski resort in Austria's alpine province of Tyrol.

A rescue effort had been mounted late Saturday, but had to be suspended overnight because of bad weather.

The Austria Press Agency cites police officials as saying all six victims were from the Czech Republic.

Rescuers said Sunday a 45-year-old man was the sole survivor in the group.

Avalanches claim dozens of lives in the Austria Alps each year.