Avalanche flattens five homes at Russian ski resort amid fears children could be buried by snow 

Avalanche flattens five homes at Russian ski resort amid fears children could be buried by snow

  • Six people have been found safe after an avalanche in Russia, reports say
  • Area around Gora Otdelnaya ski resort in Norilskwas was hit at around 8.30pm
  • The search and rescue operation covers an area of some 984 square feet

Six people have been found safe after an avalanche flattened a Russian ski resort, reports say. 

The area around Gora Otdelnaya resort in Norilskwas was hit at around 8.30pm Moscow time, leaving five houses, including two children, snowed in, Russian media agency TASS initially reported. 

Two people emerged from the scene themselves, and four others were discovered by search teams, according to local media.

The search and rescue operation covers an area of some 984 square feet.

It is not yet clear exactly how many people are still thought to be trapped beneath the snow. 

Rescuers found a woman, who was originally mistaken for a teenager, buried under the avalanche, and she has now been handed into the care of doctors, the Emergencies Ministry told TASS.

An emergency services source had said: ‘An avalanche has collapsed near Norilsk, with preliminarily five people, including two children, trapped under snow.’

A search and rescue operation at the site of an avalanche at the Gora Otdelnaya ski resort

The search and rescue operation covers an area of some 984 square feet

Two people emerged from the scene themselves, and four others were discovered by search teams, it was reported

Pictured: search and rescue operation at the site of an avalanche at Gora Otdelnaya ski resort

Two people emerged from the snow following the avalanche, and another four were found alive, a source said. 

‘Two got out of the avalanche themselves… the search operation is underway,’ the source added.   

Some people could still remain trapped beneath the snow, it was claimed.  

People carrying a holiday maker who has been found during a search and rescue operation at the site of an avalanche at the Gora Otdelnaya ski resort

People carrying a holiday maker who has been found during a search and rescue operation at the site of an avalanche at the Gora Otdelnaya ski resort

Pictured: search and rescue operation at the site of an avalanche at the Gora Otdelnaya resort

Pictured: search and rescue operation at the site of an avalanche at the Gora Otdelnaya resort

Two people emerged from the snow following the avalanche, and another four were found alive, a source said

Two people emerged from the snow following the avalanche, and another four were found alive, a source said

Some people could still remain trapped beneath the snow, it was claimed

Some people could still remain trapped beneath the snow, it was claimed