Four people are dead after an avalanche hit a group of skiers in the south east of Switzerland, police said.

Police in Graubuenden canton said the avalanche on the slopes of the Piz Vilan mountain this afternoon swept away seven members of a nine-strong group of skiers.

Rescuers recovered three bodies and four seriously injured people, who were flown to hospitals in St Gallen, Zurich and Chur.

Police said a fourth person later died at a hospital.

There was no immediate word on what triggered the avalanche.

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