Deux Alpes, France – A massive avalanche struck a group of nine student skiers from Lyon and their school teacher in Deux Alpes today, southeast of Grenoble, killing at least two and leaving others seriously injured.

One of the dead is said to be a 14-year-old girl, while police indicate that the second fatal victim unrelated to the school group was carrying Ukrainian identification. Five students are still missing as rescuers search the avalanche debris.

The incident on the occurred at around 4 p.m. local time on the closed Bellecombe ski run at the French resort.  One adult, believed to be the students’ instructor, was found unconscious. Four of the victims were recovered in full cardiac arrest.

Two police helicopters, including one equipped with a thermal imaging camera, and an emergency rescue helicopter are on the scene along with around 30 ski patrollers with avalanche search dogs.

Injured victims are being airlifted to the Grenoble University Hospital.