Three tourists have been killed with two others reported missing after an avalanche swept down a mountain range in the Alps.

The three tourists, a woman and two men, were killed when the avalanche ploughed down the rocky Cima Vertana in the Ortles Mountain range. The avalanche was triggered at about 4pm in the South Tyrol region of Italy.

Operations are underway to find two missing members of the five-person strong team of ski mountaineers. A helicopter rescue service and firefighters are involved in the search.

The 30-year-old man and woman as well as a 50-year-old man were swept away as they were climbing. Their lifeless bodies were later recovered by rescuers.

According to Italian outlet Union Sarda, the collapse appears to have been sudden. Two of the climbers are understood to b

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