Dramatic footage shows the moment several skiers were buried under an avalanche in the Austrian Alps on Christmas Day.
Around 200 people and eight helicopters were involved in a search and rescue operation after the avalanche rolled down the mountain in the Zurs am Arlberg ski area around 3pm local time (2pm UK time) , said the Austrian Ministry of Defense.
Initially, up to 10 people were missing, based on video from a witness.
But in the early hours of Boxing Day, police revealed only four people had been buried after being caught in the avalanche. All survived, despite their injuries.
One was quickly rescued from the snow and airlifted to hospital in Innsbruck with serious injuries.
the the last two people missing contacted authorities on Sunday evening and the search and rescue operation was suspended, the Austrian News Agency (APA) reported on Monday.
Local ski instructor Stefan Albrecht captured the moment of the avalanche on video and said he had “never seen such a big avalanche”.
Rescue workers stand near the avalanche site in western Austria
Mr Albrecht said he was skiing with a colleague nearby when the avalanche started.
“I immediately decided to make a video… but I had no idea how bad the avalanche would be.”
Mr Albrecht said he and his colleague immediately rushed to help search for victims.
He added that rescue teams and helicopters arrived soon after.
