3 German skiers killed in avalanche, another one missing in Austria

Three German skiers were killed and a fourth one missing, after they were struck by an avalanche while skiing near the western Austrian city of Lech, German news agency DPA reported on Sunday, citing Austrian officials.

The skiers reportedly went on a route that had been put off limits due to such dangers, the DPA report said.

Austrian authorities began the search after the wife of one of the men made a phone call late Saturday, it said. They were still searching for the fourth man, a 28-year-old from southern Germany.

The three dead were identified as men, aged 32, 36 and 57, also from southern Germany, according to DPA. The dead had suffered multiple injuries and showed signs of suffocation, despite deploying rescue air bags.

The search for the fourth man had to be broken off Sunday due to the risk of more avalanches.

"It's questionable whether it's responsible to have the search due to the heightened risk of avalanches," said one police spokesman, cited by DPA.