San Francisco Frontiers - Heavy spring snow storm wreaks havoc in the Alps

The heavy snowfall killed at least one person while another was severely injured in an avalanche as snow blanketed areas of Switzerland, Italy and France.

Although snowfall in April is not unusual in the Alps, the amount that has fallen took parts of the region by surprise.

In the French resort of Tignes, authorities ordered residents to remain indoors after more than 1.1 metres (yards) of snow fell overnight.

"All cars are covered up to the roof... Just walking outside is worrying," said Mathis, a hotel employee in Tignes who declined to give his full name.

In the nearby ski station of Val Thorens, a woman was found in cardiac arrest after being buried in an avalanche, authorities said.

The risk of avalanches was declared at the highest 5/5 level and closed several ski stations in the region.

In Italy, the air force's weather service reported "intense and abundant" rain that above 1,800 meters turned to snow.

Firefighters said on X that an "elderly man" had been found dead in the Italian Piedmont region, with local news outlets reporting he was 92.

- 'Exceptional' snowfall -

In neighbouring Switzerland, "exceptional" snowfalls hit the southwestern canton of Valais.

Many roads and tunnels were shut in all three countries due to fallen trees or avalanche risks and some schools remain closed.

Dozens of heavy trucks that cannot use cross-border tunnels were at a standstill on the side of the A43 motorway linking France and Italy.

Train traffic was also affected and by mid-afternoon more than 3,300 French households were still without power, according to the local Savoie prefecture.

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L.Lopez--SFF