Three mountaineers from France and Switzerland have been killed in avalanches in the Swiss Alps over Christmas.
On Monday in the Valais region, a local man was swept away by an avalanche according to police. He was part of a group of five mountaineers climbing near Hofathorn peak (2,844m) and although he was quickly found by his teammates, he later died of his injuries.
Also in the Valais, on Saturday, a group of three mountaineers was caught in an avalanche at around 2,700m near St-Luc. Two of the group were rescued and flown by helicopter to Sion and Viege for treatment for minor injuries, however the third member of the party, a 29-year-old Swiss woman was seriously injured and died on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the body of a 31-year-old Frenchman was found buried in 3m snow after being caught in an avalanche in the Grisons region while trying to climb Glattwang (2376m) solo. Police say his body was carried over a kilometer.