Three Dutch people have been killed in an avalanche in the Tirol, Austrian media said on Thursday afternoon. A fourth has been airlifted to hospital where their injuries are said not to be serious.

The four were part of a group of 17 holidaymakers from the Netherlands who were on a skiing and hiking trip under the leadership of four guides.

The route they were following, to the Martin-Busch-Hütte mountain hut some 2500 metres above sea level, is considered a “classic” abut also dangerous because of the steep slopes.

The avalanche risk in the area where they group were was only two on a scale of five at the time of the accident, news website Nu.nl reported.

The Dutch consul and another embassy worker are travelling to the location of the accident to provide help to those who need it, the foreign ministry said.