Five people have died in two avalanches in Austria's Alps today, it has been reported. An off-piste avalanche hit a group of seven ski tourers in the Pongau area near Salzburg, killing four and seriously injuring another person, according to boradcaster ORF.

Local media reported that in one avalanche, seven people were swept away and four of them were killed while in the second avalanche, one person who was swept away alone was killed. The incident on a mountain in Salzburg, Austria, earlier today (January 17) prompted the deployment of 90 rescuers in a search for survivors.

The initial incident involving the woman occurred around 12:30 pm in the Schmugglerscharte area of Bad Hofgastein mountain.

Local Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung reported that her husband alerted authorities. Despite attempts to resuscitate her, the woman tragically passed awa

Gerhard Kremser, district manager of the Pongau mountain rescue service, had warned against skiing in the conditions after avalanche alerts had already been issued.

Offering his "deepest sympathies" to the victims families Mr Kremser said "repeared warnings" had been issued.

He said: "Despite clear and repeated warnings, numerous avalanches occurred again today - unfortunately with fatal consequences.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the families. This tragedy painfully demonstrates how serious the current avalanche situation is."

Around midday, several other avalanches were triggered in nearby areas by winter sports enthusiasts, but no one was injured, ORF reported.

Tragically, on Tuesday, a 13-year-old skier died in an avalanche while skiing off-piste at the Austrian Alpine resort of Bad Gastein.

Last Sunday, a 58-year-old ski tourer died in an avalanche in the Tyrolean resort of Weerberg in western Austria.