THREE skiers have died after a horrifying avalanche ripped through a 9,300ft mountain in Italy.

The victims were dragged downhill for several hundred metres suffering fatal injuries, rescuers said.

The disaster took place at around midday in the northern Piedmont region on the Italian border with Switzerland.

Five skiers were caught up in the terrifying avalanche on the eastern face of Punta Valgrande.

Two others survived and were rushed to hospital by helicopter.

Shocked witnesses revealed they saw the avalanche as it came crashing down the mountain.

They said multiple people were visibly swept off the slope.

Mountain rescue teams were called to the scene to look for survivors and treat the injured.

They said the conditions were challenging with the poor weather in the region potentially contributing to the tragedy.

An alert had previously been issued in the Piedmont area for anywhere above 6,900ft.

It warned of a considerable danger of avalanches.

Authorities are now urging any climbers or skiers to take extra caution across the Lepontine Alps where the Punta Valgrande avalanche took place.

Back in December, another European avalanche caused devastation after an 18-year-old international judo star was killed.

Emre Yazgan was understood to have been climbing at the Palandoken Ski Center in Erzurum, North-East Turkey when the disaster struck.

Footage from the scene showed the mountain covered in snow and what appeared to be people searching for the missing youngster.

News outlet Aksam claim three further athletes were injured in the tragedy but were pulled to safety.