A French ski patrol guide has died after an avalanche buried skiers at a resort in Switzerland.
The victim, 34, was rescued from the snow in the Crans-Montana but died in hospital from his injuries.
Rescuers have now called off their search for casualties after pulling the man and three others to safety.
Valais cantonal police said in a statement: "The person who was seriously injured died during the night in Sion hospital. He was a French ski patroller aged 34."
Crans-Montana avalanche - In pictures
The three others had also been taken to Sion hospital.
Witnesses suggested others have been buried but the search has been ceased.
"The search continued all night and was halted this morning. It will resume if the situation requires. No disappearance has been signalled," police said.
Eight helicopters, 12 dogs and more than 240 police, rescuers and soldiers had worked to find more casualties.
The avalanche was 840 metres long and 100 metres wide, with 400 meters of heavy snow hitting the piste.
It occurred in mid-afternoon and came after a week of warmer temperatures began melting heavy snow.
However, the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research said the danger for the area had been only at level two on a scale of five on Tuesday.
The cause is being investigated, with two hypotheses being that skiers set off the avalanche or that it was spontaneous due to natural circumstances.
