ZERMATT, Switzerland – Three people were killed and another was injured in an avalanche that struck the mountainside near Zermatt on Monday, April 1.

According to Reuters, Swiss police did not provide any information related to the identities of the victims. Search operations have stopped for Monday, though it isn’t clear whether more individuals could be missing.

The avalanche reportedly occurred just after 2 p.m. local time, with the large amount of snow making search and rescue efforts difficult.

German broadcaster DW News reports that the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research noted a significant risk of avalanches throughout the southern Swiss Alps on Monday, with a high potential for large spontaneous slides.

Photo by Jonathan Sollender on Unsplash

Related: Skier Describes Experience Of Being Stuck On Chairlift During Viral Wind Event

Don't miss out!

Get the latest snow and mountain lifestyle news and entertainment delivered to your inbox.

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Newsletters
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Nolan Deck is a writer for Unofficial Networks, covering skiing and outdoor adventure. After growing up and skiing in Maine, he moved to the Denver area for college where he continues to live and work...