GENEVA: Four skiers and two climbers were confirmed dead on Monday and five others were in critical condition after being forced to spend the night exposed to the elements in the Swiss Alps, police said. Four climbers die after night trapped on Swiss Alps

Police in Valais in south-western Switzerland said seven helicopters were used to rescue 14 hikers from France, Germany and Italy in the Pigne d’Arolla region. Valais police spokesman Markus Rieder said they were caught off-guard by high winds, snows and cold and were forced to spend the night outdoors.Several of those rescued were suffering from hypothermia, and were rushed to area hospitals. Some of those not described as being in critical condition are suffering from "mild hypothermia" but their "lives are not in danger," according to police. Police indicated that one of those killed "likely" died from a fall and was found dead at the scene, while three others died later in hospital. Police said the hikers had been trying to reach the Vignettes hikers’ hut at 3,157 meters (10,357 feet) in the Alps. Police said Sunday that the rescue operation was “extremely difficult” because of the weather conditions and poor visibility.
An avalanche in the Alps kills three skiers and injures two in Valais, Switzerland.