Eight skiers killed in avalanches in Austria

Rescuers search for people after an avalanche in the Salzburg Pongau region (Bergrettung Pongau/AP)

Eight skiers have been killed in three avalanches across Austria, authorities said.

A female skier was buried by an avalanche in the Bad Hofgastein area in western Austria, at an altitude of about 7,200 feet, at about 12.30pm on  Saturday, according to the Pongau mountain rescue service.