Update 23:25  Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Four people were killed by avalanches Sunday 3 January, two near Diemtigtal, canton Bern and one in Bagnes, Valais. Seven others were injured, some of them critically, in Bern and one other person was hospitalized following the Valais avalanche. In a separate incident, Valais police have reportedly arrested three young snowboarders who appear to have set off an avalanche near Zermatt Thursday 30 December that caught a group of seven, including five children.

The deadly accident in Bern occurred in an area that is not considered particularly at risk, although the Swiss avalanche and snow research institute has had level 3 “considerable danger” warnings out for much of the Swiss Alps during the past week. One member of a group of ski tourers was caught by a first avalanche at about 11:30 Sunday, and emergency services were immediately called. While the rescue operation was underway a second avalanche occurred. A Rega helicopter service doctor and one other skier were found and taken to hospital, where they died. Another skier was dead when uncovered. Eight people were found alive, but some of them are in critical condition Sunday night, according to Bern police. Eight helicopters were used in the rescue operation, to carry rescue teams, doctors and avalanche search dogs to the area.

The search was called off at 18:00 due to weather and snow conditions. Police in Bern ask that anyone waiting for news of ski tourers in the area phone them at +41 31 634 3434.

The other avalanche Sunday occurred near the Tête de la Payanne, in the Val de Bagnes region near Verbier, in Valais, about 14:00.

A guide and his client, whose identity has not been provided by police, were skiing off piste at 2,400 metres altitude when they were caught by the snow. The guide was able to free himself, but was hospitalized for hypothermia. His client was found under 80cm of snow.

The avalanche near Zermatt Thursday is reported by Le Matin to have been set off by three young men, ages 18-25, who were snowboarding off piste. The avalanche hit a groomed slope and caught seven people, including a group of five children, four of whom were buried. They were promptly dug out by nearby restaurant workers in the area and their companions. One, a 14-year-old, was treated for shock.

Police in Valais have not confirmed the information about the snowboarders’ arrest. The three young men risk up to three years in prison for obstructing a public path, according to TSR. Valais police are still seeking snowboarders who set off an avalanche on a groomed slope in the Anzeres area a week earlier.

Links to other sites: Le Matin, TSR and Diemtigtal area map

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