Tragic avalanche claims lives of three skiers, dragging them hundreds of meters down 9,000-foot mountain

Three skiers tragically lost their lives in Italy after being caught in a devastating avalanche on a 9,300ft mountain.

Rescuers reported that the victims were carried several hundred meters downhill by the powerful avalanche, resulting in fatal injuries.

The incident occurred at roughly noon in the northern Piedmont region near the Italian-Swiss border.

Five skiers were caught up in the terrifying avalanche on the eastern face of Punta Valgrande.

Two others survived and were rushed to hospital by helicopter.

Shocked witnesses revealed they saw the avalanche as it came crashing down the mountain.

They said multiple people were visibly swept off the slope.

Mountain rescue teams were called to the scene to look for survivors and treat the injured.

They said the conditions were challenging with the poor weather in the region potentially contributing to the tragedy.

An alert had previously been issued in the Piedmont area for anywhere above 6,900ft.

It warned of a considerable danger of avalanches.

Authorities are now urging any climbers or skiers to take extra caution across the Lepontine Alps where the Punta Valgrande avalanche took place.

Back in December, another European avalanche caused devastation after an 18-year-old international judo star was killed.

Emre Yazgan was understood to have been climbing at the Palandoken Ski Center in Erzurum, North-East Turkey when the disaster struck.

Footage from the scene showed the mountain covered in snow and what appeared to be people searching for the missing youngster.

News outlet Aksam claim three further athletes were injured in the tragedy but were pulled to safety.