Seven skiers, two climbers and a guide have died in five separate incidents after bad weather swept through the Alps region on Sunday.Five skiing victims, from France, Italy and Germany, were among a group of 14 who failed to reach a mountain cabin.
Police confirmed two French skiers had died in separate incidents in the French Alps.
An alarm had been raised for the two climbers, but the weather delayed a search on Sunday.
Police gave their ages as 21 and 22, AFP news agency reports. The climbing victims – believed to be Swiss – were found in the Bern canton of the Swiss Alps.
Italian media also reported the death of an Italian mountaineering guide, Mario Castiglioni, who was leading an organised excursion.
A Russian climber is also missing, presumed dead, in the Pennine Alps.
The Swiss Alps were hit by major windstorms and falling temperatures following a period of unseasonably warm weather.
The 14 skiers had set out from the Dix rest-stop along a route known as the Serpentine, aiming to arrive at Vignettes – more than 3,000m (9,850ft) above sea level – later that night.
