Avalanches kill two people, injure several others in Italy's Alps

A series of avalanches in the Italian Alps killed two people and injured several others on Friday, with strong winds hampering the rescue operations, rescuers said.



A first avalanche hit the southwest Alpine Maira Valley, near the French border in the Italian region of Piedmont, killing one person and injuring two others, Alpine Rescue (Soccorso Alpino) said. One of them is in critical condition.



Rescue teams set out on foot from lower altitudes after the strong winds prevented helicopter crews from reaching the site, the organisation said in a statement.



A second avalanche occurred near Pragelato, a popular ski destination about 60 km (37 miles) west of Turin.



Authorities said they were monitoring reports of a third avalanche in Piedmont, but details were not immediately available.