Alpine avalanche buries four

The avalanche struck the mountain at Gries in Sellraintal, in the Innsbruck area

VIENNA, Austria -- One person has been killed, two injured and a fourth is missing following an avalanche in the Austrian Alps.

All four people were buried in the avalanche in the mountains near Innsbruck on Saturday.

Three of the four, including the dead person, have been recovered, the Associated Press quoted local media.

Rescue workers with specially trained avalanche dogs were continuing to search for the fourth missing person.

The identities of those involved in the accident were not immediately known, but the Austria Press Agency reported that they were thought to be German tourists.

The avalanche came down the mountain at Gries in Sellraintal, in the Innsbruck area some 520 kilometers ( 323 miles) west of Vienna, the Agency said.

Heavy rain in the last 24 hours has raised the risk of avalanches in the area.

The two injured people were airlifted to the University Clinic at Innsbruck, although continuous bad weather made it difficult for the rescue helicopter to land.