AT least three people are dead after a devastating avalanche struck the Panticosa ski resort in northern Spain near the French border.
A woman is in hospital with hypothermia as elite mountain rescue teams race to the scene of the tragedy.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 1pm this afternoon.
Initial reports suggested two fatalities, before authorities later confirmed that a third person had also died.
Another two people are said to have escaped unharmed.
The avalanche is believed to have struck near the Tablato mountain peak and involved a group of six people.
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The nationalities of those killed have not yet been released, although officials have confirmed that one of the victims is a woman.
Elite officers from the Civil Guard’s Greim mountain rescue and search unit were quickly mobilised.
They are currently working at the scene alongside sniffer dogs as recovery and investigation efforts continue.
Regional government president Jorge Azcon said he was “shocked” by the news of the accident.
He announced he was cancelling his scheduled engagements to travel to the site.
“Shocked by the news about the tragic mountain accident at Panticosa,” he wrote on X.
“I am cancelling my diary to head to the scene.”
Panticosa is one of Spain’s most popular ski areas and welcomes tourists from across Europe.
Officials at the Panticosa spa and wellness resort, home to two four-star hotels, confirmed this afternoon it was operating normally and the incident had happened nearby.
“The incident has happened in the high mountains, at around 8,850ft above sea level,” the resort said in a statement.
“We have heard about this tragic incident which has resulted in the loss of life.
“We deeply regret this terrible news and would like to offer our most sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who died.”
Authorities are continuing to assess the situation as rescue teams remain on high alert in the area.
This is the latest alpine incident to claim the lives of innocent holidaymakers this festive season.
Earlier this month, a climber was killed after a horror fall on the German-Austrian border.
The 19-year-old German man was reportedly unsecured while on the “Stopselzieher” via ferrata, an “easy” route on the Zugspitze mountain.
Mountain rescuers rushed to help, but tragically could not save him.
