Avalanches in Switzerland killed 23 people during the 2008-9 winter, and injured 29 more, dpa quoted the Institute for the Study of Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) as saying Today. One person was still missing. All of the people killed were engaged in winter sports, including off-piste skiing and snowboarding. The SLF, based in Davos, said that until the end of April, 124 people were caught up in avalanches, with 20 of the snow-attacks causing fatalities. Based on yearly statistics, 25 people on average are killed by avalanches each winter season in the Alpine country. This past winter was considered to have been quite long and heavy. The SLF deemed the season started in October and there was an above average snowfall, particularly along the Alps and south of the mountain range.
