5 Dead in Norway Avalanche

One survivor pulled from snow that buried skiers
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 19, 2012 3:00 PM CDT
5 Dead in Norway Avalanche
Rescue personnel prepare Monday March 19, 2012 to go to the mountain area near Kafjord, Norway, where an avalanche is reported to have buried 6 tourists.   (AP Photo/ Ola Solvang / Scanpix)

Police say four Swiss and one French citizen have been confirmed killed by a massive avalanche in northern Norway. A police spokesman said a sixth person, also Swiss, was dug out alive and taken to a local hospital after today's snowslide near Tromsoe on Norway's Arctic coast.

The six tourists were part of a group of 12 people out skiing in the area when the avalanche struck near Sorbmegaisa mountain, police said. The victims were wearing avalanche transceivers which guided about 30 rescuers digging through the snow. Police and military helicopters were also sent to the site. Police said avalanches are common in the area. (More avalanche stories.)

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