Two hikers on snowshoes were killed today by an avalanche in the Italian Alps.
The avalanche ripped down slopes at around noon on Sunday (local time) at the 2200-metre level in the Formazza Valley in the Piedmont region, near Switzerland.
The force of the avalanche pushed one of the victims into a lake near the bottom of the slope, while the other body was found in the mass of snow.
Despite strong winds, a helicopter was able to lower a rescue team aided by a dog unit.
The identities of the two victims weren't immediately released.
A search operation was launched after guards at a nearby dike reported seeing an avalanche strike two hikers.
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An initial search by foot failed to find the hikers, prompting the use of the helicopter.
A helicopter carrying divers was dispatched to recover the body from the lake.