Avalanches kill two in Switzerland

Heavy snowfall in the Alps has led to avalanches that killed two people in Switzerland and led to several rescue operations.

Police said a 49-year-old skier was killed in the canton of Schwyz when he was buried by an avalanche.

Another person died in the canton of Oberwalden buried by snow masses.

The search for other persons possibly buried by avalanches was stopped in the early evening, police said.

According to media reports, at least one person was still missing after avalanches were also reported off-piste in other regions.

Heavy snowfall, which is usually seen only every 20 years or so in the region, has hit Switzerland, reaching up to 2 metres in the Alps.

Meteorological service MeteoNews warned that another 50 centimetres of snow could fall overnight, further increasing the risk for avalanches in the Alps.