MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the Austrian ORF broadcaster, the massive avalanche measuring over a mile in width and over 16 feet in height descended around noon local time in Tyrol's Wattenberg municipality in Wattentaler Lizum valley.
A total of 17 people from two ski groups from the Czech Republic were caught in the snow. Two Czech skiers were rescued and sent to a nearby hospital.
The rescue mission is underway. Two helicopters are involved in the operation.
