Three tourists have tragically lost their lives following a devastating avalanche in the Alps. The incident occurred in the Ortles Mountain range, specifically on the rocky Cima Vertana, around 4pm local time in the South Tyrol region of Italy.

The victims include a 30-year-old man, a 30-year-old woman, and a 50-year-old man. They were part of a five-member team of ski mountaineers when the avalanche struck. Rescuers later recovered their bodies from the scene.

In addition to the fatalities, two other members of the group are currently reported missing. Search operations are actively underway, involving a helicopter rescue service and local firefighters. The efforts aim to locate the missing individuals amidst challenging conditions in the mountainous terrain.

Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and provide updates as the search progresses.