Austrian avalanche death toll 34

LANDECK, FEB 26: The death toll in an Austrian valley struck by two avalanches rose to 34 after two more bodies, one a child, were found ...

LANDECK, FEB 26: The death toll in an Austrian valley struck by two avalanches rose to 34 after two more bodies, one a child, were found as airlift operations resumed on Friday to evacuate thousands of shocked holidaymakers.

Rescue sources said between four and five people were still missing after the snowslides on Tuesday in the village of Galtuer and on Wednesday in the neighboring hamlet of Valzur, and the risk of more avalanches remained high.

The body of a child was found in Galtuer early Friday after another victim was pulled from the snow Thursday evening, leaving 29 dead in that village and the other five from Valzur.

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The airlift operation, interrupted overnight, started up again shortly after dawn, with 35 helicopters, 10 of which are American, taking part.

More than 3,000 people were evacuated on Thursday from Galtuer and several nearby ski resorts, though rescue workers said an estimated 6,000 more people were waiting to be taken out of the area as quickly as possible given the threat of more avalanches, rescue sources said.

Friday’s airlift was focussed on the ski resort of Ischgl, a big resort a few kilometres from Galtuer, they said.