Two injured in Italian avalanche

A group of skiers were caught in an avalanche in northern Italy today, leaving two people slightly injured, officials and firefighters said.

The avalanche occurred on a slope at the ski resort of Artesina, near Cuneo, during the World Ski Mountaineering Championship.

The event’s organisers said two skiers were slightly injured,and that no one was reported missing.

The avalanche, which struck at around 11am local time (9am Irish Time), prompted a massive rescue operation, with at least 200 people searching the mountain aided by helicopters and rescue dogs, organisers said.

Italian news reports said prosecutors were investigating the incident.

The reports said two skiers were suspected of having triggered the avalanche.