Norway avalanche kills 5

An avalanche in a popular ski area of northern Norway Monday killed four Swiss and one French national, police said. A sixth person, whose nationality was not confirmed, was rescued, Norway broadcaster NRK reported. No names have been released. The skiers were part of a group of 12 hit by the avalanche 3,600 feet up Mt. Sorbmegaisa, which reaches 4,225 feet high. One of the skiers alerted authorities, Sky News said. Police received word of the incident near Tromsoe on the country's Arctic coast around 2:30 p.m. local time and began their search using more than 30 people, rescue dogs, defense personnel, two F16 aircraft and a rescue helicopter. The victims had been equipped with avalanche transceivers which were buried in the snow and ultimately helped lead rescuers to them, NRK said. The last of the dead was found 20 feet under the snow, police efforts leader Gaute Aust Eggen told NRK. The injured skier was taken to the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsoe where he was reported in serious condition. The other six ski tourists in the group were taken by helicopter to Tromsoe.