Two Estonian skiers were tragically killed in an avalanche in France on Sunday, while skiing off-piste in the Val-d'Isère area of Savoie, according to Le Monde, Report informs via ERR.
The avalanche, a 100-meter-wide and 300-meter-long slab, buried four men, including one who was able to escape.
The deceased were part of a group of six skiers, who reportedly were skiing without avalanche safety gear.
Emergency responders freed one skier in less than 10 minutes, but two others, found in a state of cardio-respiratory arrest after being buried for over 40 and 50 minutes, perished at the scene, French authorities said.
The high avalanche risk on Sunday was caused by recent snowfall and strong winds; the swift rescue operation involved helicopters, dog teams, and about 20 ski patrollers and instructors.