Missing people found after avalanche near upmarket ski resort in Austria

All those who were reported missing after an enormous avalanche in western Austria have been founded, local media reports.

Initially, up to 10 people were feared missing, based on video from a witness.

But in the early hours of Boxing Day, police revealed that only four had been caught up in the incident.

They were injured, one of them seriously, while the remaining six feared to have been involved were said to be fine, Austrian media reported.

"According to current information, it can be assumed that no more people are missing," a police statement said.

Tourism officials had identified some of the people as foreign nationals from Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Bosnia, the Netherlands, and the US.

Around 200 rescue workers had scoured the avalanche path near the upmarket Lech ski resort in the Arlberg region.

The avalanche struck on a face on the Trittkopf mountain between Zurs and Lech at about 3pm local time (2pm in the UK), with released snow tumbling as far as nearby ski runs, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) said.

Several helicopters and search teams soon raced to the site, with searchlights set up to continue the search after darkness fell, and dogs used to try to find the missing.

What caused the avalanche?

There are different types of avalanches, but they can be triggered by natural weather or temperature conditions or by people when they disturb unstable snow.

The avalanche followed days of snow in the high alpine region and unseasonably warm weather on Christmas Day, the APA reported, citing local police.

The Arlberg region in western Austria is famous for its ski and snowboard resorts.