Alps avalanche: British skier feared dead after disaster in Italy

Four others missing, local media says

A road near the Valle d'Aosta (file photo) (Getty)

A British man is missing in Italy following an avalanche in Valle d’Aosta in the western Alps.

The bodies of three people have been found following Sunday’s disaster, according to local media.

Four more people, including French citizens, are believed to be missing.

“Following an avalanche in Valle d’Aosta, our staff are supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing, and are in contact with the Italian search and rescue team,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

Two Italian skiers were also killed by avalanches on Sunday, including one who died in the Valle d’Aosta region.

Over the weekend officials in the area warned that there was a high risk of avalanches.

“The recent heavy snowfall across Europe means that there are quite unstable conditions at present,” said Daniel Loots, communications manager at the Ski Club of Great Britain.

He warned skiers to stay on-piste in current conditions.

“When skiing off-piste you should always carry an avalanche transceiver, probe and metal shovel, all of which you should be familiar with using,” he said.

“If you are involved in an avalanche the first thing you should do is alert ski patrol or mountain rescue, either by saving the local services number in your phone before you go, or dialling 112 in Europe.”

Tourists can also hire guides who are familiar with the mountains to stay safe, he added.

Additional reporting by agencies