At least five people killed in string of avalanches in Austria

Fatalities and injuries reported in avalanches across Tirol after prolonged snowfall and windy conditions

At least five people have been killed in a string of avalanches in Austria, authorities said on Saturday.

The government office of the Tirol region said intense snowfall over the last week led to accumulations of up to 1.5 meters (5ft). Combined with windy conditions and weak snowpack below, the conditions were especially susceptible to avalanches, it said.