Avalanche in Italian Alps Claims Lives of Two Hikers

Rescue operation launched after nearby guards report avalanche, victims found in lake and under snow.

Two hikers on snowshoes were killed by an avalanche in the Italian Alps near Switzerland.
The avalanche occurred around noon on Sunday at the 2,200-meter (7,200-foot) level in the Formazza valley in the Piedmont region.
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.
A search operation was launched after guards at a nearby dike reported seeing the avalanche strike the two hikers.
Despite strong winds, a helicopter was able to lower a rescue team aided by a dog unit to the site.