Avalanche Engulfs Swiss Hotel While Guests are Eating

Three people were injured when an avalanche engulfed a Swiss hotel as heavy snow battered Europe’s ski resorts. The avalanche occurred at around 4pm on Thursday afternoon in the Schwägalp pass area, at the Hotel Säntis. Officials have confirmed all guests are accounted for.

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One eyewitness told Tagblatt that he had stopped by the restaurant to grab a beer and read the paper when he saw the snow approaching.

He said: “There was a huge noise and a load of snow came in from the back of the restaurant.”

The street in front of the hotel was completely buried with several cars and a bus under the snow and at least one person had to be dug out of the snow.

The incident comes as parts of Europe is battered by heavy snow which has left at least 17 dead.