BERLIN (AP) — Police in Austria say five skiers from the Czech Republic have been killed after being buried in a 'massive' Alpine avalanche.

Tirol police spokesman Helmut Schuetz said Saturday that two people were also injured after the avalanche struck the Wattener Lizum region, 30 kilometers (20 miles) southeast of Innsbruck.

Schuetz says a total of 17 people were caught in the avalanche that struck shortly before noon.