British man among seven killed in Alps avalanches
Eight others escaped uninjured, while one flown to hospital with serious injuries
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A British man is among seven people killed in a series of avalanches in the Swiss Alps over the last few days.
The 38-year-old was among a party of 10 who were swept away from the slopes at the popular alpine resort of Verbier, to the east of Geneva, on Monday morning.
Eight others escaped uninjured, local police said, while one was flown to hospital with serious injuries.
The avalanche risk was set at three on a scale of five, meaning there was “considerable danger”, Planet Ski reported.
The outlet said several helicopters, rescuers and avalanche dog handlers attended the scene to dig out those caught in the avalanche.
They were reportedly all wearing avalanche transceivers and the correct safety equipment.
A police spokesman said: "The avalanche occurred outside the piste between the Verbier ski area and 'Les Attelas'.
"At around 10.20am, a skier was driving down a corridor below the 'Attelas' area.
"A snow drift came loose and carried the skier as well as another person who had been further down at the time."
Police said the 38-year-old, who has not been named and lived in Verbier, died at the scene.
An investigation has been launched.
It comes after several days of heavy snowfall across Switzerland, which has claimed the lives of seven people in total over the last four days.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments