FERNIE (British Columbia) - TWO avalanches buried 11 snowmobilers in southeastern British Columbia and authorities feared some of them were killed.
Eight people were unaccounted for after the avalanches on Sunday and three others were rescued and taken to hospitals, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Some of the victims were buried after going to the aid of those hit by the first avalanche the mounted police said.
Ms Jennifer Henkes, a spokesman with the Interior Health Authority, said there were fatalities but it was unclear how many.
Two of the people hospitalised were discharged on Sunday and one was held overnight for observation.
The avalanches happened Sunday afternoon B.C.'s Elk Valley about 885 kilometres east of Vancouver near the Alberta border.
The Canadian Avalanche Center issued an alert Sunday saying mountain conditions in the region were 'very touchy' because of a new snowstorm combined with a weak snowpack. -- AP
