A group of skiers swept away in an avalanche in an upmarket Austrian ski resort on Christmas Day have been rescued, it has emerged.

Four of the group were injured, one seriously, report local media.

Initial reports said 10 skiers had been engulfed by the avalanche in Lech Zurs an Arlberg on 25th December.

Now officials say eight skiers have been rescued and they do not believe any more are missing.

A massive rescue operation involving 200 people was set up after the avalanche struck in the late afternoon.

The rescuers had to be airlifted to the avalanche site using eight helicopters.

The rescue operation carried on through the night before it was finally announced this morning (26th December) that all those buried had been successfully freed.

The avalanche happened when snowfall collapsed from the 2,720-metre (8,923-foot)-high Trittkopf skiing and snowboarding trail.

There was a high risk of avalanche warning at the time because of higher-than-usual temperatures.

In Austria, every year, around 20 people die as a result of avalanches.

A further final check is expected to be carried out today even though no further people are reported missing