This is the moment a brave labrador looks for six tourists who were buried under snow after an avalanche at a ski resort in Sochi.

The footage shows the dog being let off its lead by its rescuer handler and bounding off into the snow as part of the search operation to look for survivors on the snowy mountainside.

The Russian authorities said that six people were rescued as a result of extensive search efforts.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry on Tuesday, 6th February, saying: “A spontaneous avalanche occurred at an altitude of 1,300-1,400 metres [4,265-4,593 feet] in the Laura ski resort.

“Six people were trapped under the snow. They were rescued by resort specialists.

“Department employees examined the snow cover using avalanche probes and a people search system.

“Sixteen specialists and three pieces of equipment worked on site. Including dog handlers from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.”

There have been no updates on the condition of the six tourists, who have not been named.