Five snowmobilers die in 'very large human triggered' avalanche in British Colombia

'We live in a rugged country where many in the community enjoy the outdoors. That comes with danger, and today, our worst fears have been realised'

The avalanche hit the area of McBride and the Robson Valley Search and Rescue Team were notified by two separate GPS beacons (Google Street View )

Five people have died after a “very large” avalanche in western Canada hit people on snowmobiles, authorities have said.

The avalanche hit the area of McBride and the Robson Valley Search and Rescue Team were notified by two separate GPS beacons.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said at least three separate groups of snowmobilers were caught in the slide, where six to eight people lost their vehicles leading them to be shuttled off the mountain, CBC news reported.

In a statement, McBride councillor, Sharon Reichert said: “We live in a rugged country where many in the community enjoy the outdoors. That comes with danger, and today, our worst fears have been realised."

Karl Klassen of Avalanche Canada said the “very large and significant” avalanche was “human triggered”.

He added there were layers of concern in the snowpack and “a fairly significant weather event added rain and snow to the snowpack.

“This may have produced stresses in the snowpack capable of producing large avalanches.”

Mr Klassen said there was a risk of more incidents in the region.