100 missing in Russian avalanche

More than 100 people remained missing today following a devastating avalanche in southern Russia.

Rescuers renewed their efforts to find survivors after a giant chunk of glacier roared down a gorge popular with hikers.

Emergency Ministry officials have said they fear that as many as 150 people were killed, and they are holding out little hope of finding anyone alive.

According to a list compiled from inquiries from relatives, 113 people are missing, said Alan Doyev, spokesman for the Interior Ministry of North Ossetia, where the disaster occurred.

The list could grow, Doyev said, as information comes in on shepherds, as well as watchmen at remote tourist camps high in the mountains.

New dangers emerged as the temperatures mounted and were expected to reach 26 C (78 F). The snow is melting quickly and the situation could deteriorate were rain to fall, officials said.

So far only six bodies have been recovered.

The disaster occurred on Friday night when a 500 ft high chunk of glacier broke off from beneath a mountain peak and roared down the Genaldon and Gizyeldon gorges at more than 60 mph, uprooting trees and accumulating mud and rocks as it went.

Among the missing was popular Russian actor Sergei Bodrov and a crew shooting a film he was directing in the area. Officials say 49 people from the film crew or local support staff are missing, while nine were safe - seven who were not with the others and two who got out of the disaster area.

Officials also feared hikers and campers may have been in the area, popular among residents of the regional capital Vladikavkaz, who often head to the mountains on weekends.

The avalanche slid 20 miles before it stopped on a road six miles from Vladikavkaz.