At least one person died in an avalanche that occurred in the Ectal Alps in western Austria, Austrian media reported.
Reports indicate that a search and rescue mission is still underway.
According to the Austrian media, a huge sheet of ice, 180 meters long and 80 meters wide, fell off in the area of the village of Vent, not far from the border with Italy in Tyrol.
Preliminary reports indicated that there were 18 people in the area when the avalanche started, but that not all of them were buried.
Police spokesman Bernd Nogler told the BBC that helicopters, rescue teams, trained dogs and alpine police were sent to the scene.
He warned that there is a very high risk of new avalanches and that rescuers should be extremely careful.
