Dramatic footage captures the moment that several skiers were buried in an avalanche at the Austrian Alps on Christmas Day.
According to Austria’s defense ministry, around 200 people and eight helicopters participated in a rescue operation following an avalanche that swept down the mountain at Zurs am Arlberg ski resort. The rescue was conducted at 3:00 PM local time (2:00 UK time).
Based on footage from a witness, initially, 10 people were believed to be missing.
Police discovered that only four people were buried in the avalanche, in the early hours on Boxing Day. All survived despite their injuries.
One of the victims had suffered serious injuries and was quickly rescued from the snow.
The two unaccounted-for people contacted authorities late Sunday, and the search and rescue operation was stopped, according to the Austrian Press Agency (APA).
Stefan Albrecht, a local ski instructor, captured the moment on video and stated that he had never seen an avalanche like it.
Albrecht stated that he was skiing with a friend nearby when the avalanche started.
“I made a video immediately… but I didn’t know how terrible the avalanche would make it.”
Albrecht stated that he and his colleague rushed to assist in the search for victims.
He also stated that rescue helicopters and crews arrived shortly after.
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