At least five people have died in a series of avalanches in Austria’s Tirol and Vorarlberg regions following heavy snowfall and dangerous conditions.

In the St. Anton am Arlberg area, five off-piste skiers were caught in a massive avalanche, with victims including an American, a Pole and a young Austrian who later died in hospital.

Separate avalanches in Nauders-Bergkastel and Klösterle killed a German man and a Swiss snowboarder, while others were injured.

Authorities said up to 1.5 meters of fresh snow, strong winds and unstable snowpack significantly increased avalanche risks, The Guardian has reported.

Officials reported dozens of incidents in recent days and warned that hazardous weather conditions are expected to continue.