Irish skier dies in Swiss avalanche

A 27-year-old Irish skier was one of four people killed as avalanches struck the Swiss and French Alps.

The cross-country skier, who lived in Zurich, was reported missing after 9pm local time on Thursday near the village of Realp in southern Switzerland.

However, his body was not recovered from the site until yesterday as severe weather prevented access by rescue teams. The Swiss Alps have seen heavy snowfall in recent days.