Three tourists lost their lives, and two others are currently missing following an avalanche that occurred in the Alps. The tragic incident took place on the rocky Cima Vertana in the Ortles Mountain range in Italy’s South Tyrol region around 4pm.

Efforts are ongoing to locate the two missing members of the ski mountaineering group. Search operations involve a helicopter rescue team and firefighters. The victims, a 30-year-old man and woman, along with a 50-year-old man, were swept away while climbing. Rescuers later recovered their bodies.

Reports from Italian outlet Union Sarda suggest that the avalanche occurred suddenly, trapping two climbers under debris with minor injuries. The search and rescue mission continues in the region.