Mont Velan, Switzerland – Four backcountry travelers have been confirmed dead by Swiss police and rescuers on Sunday abandoned their search for a fifth following an avalanche near the Italian border on Saturday.nA total of 11 cross-country skiers and snowshoers, all believed to be of French origin, were skiing the 9,000-foot Croix de Tsousse peak, in the vicinity of 12,200-foot Mont Velan when the slide struck the party Saturday. Six were rescued and transported to area hospitals by helicopter from the scene after being alerted to the incident by the group’s sole member who escaped injury. All were reportedly equipped with avalanche beacons.

The debris field was reported to be up to 65 feet deep in places. Searchers looking for the remaining victim were unable on Sunday to penetrate the debris with probes, and the recovery effort was called off out of fear for the searchers’ safety.

Three of the victims were found dead at the scene, while a fourth died of injuries in an area hospital. Switzerland’s National Avalanche Center rated the avalanche risk in the region on Saturday as “considerable.”