Italy avalanche kills at least six with ‘ten missing’ after shards of glacier break off and crash down on climbers 

AT least six people have been killed and ten more are still missing after an avalanche struck the Italian alps. 

A group of tourists were hit after record temperatures in Northern Italy caused a glacier to collapse, with reports suggesting at least eight further people have been injured.

The incident has led to the evacuation of the Marmolada mountain in the Italian Alps as officials warn there is a risk of further collapses.

Five helicopters and additional dog units have been sent to the area to search for survivors, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

An eyewitness told the newspaper: "We heard a very loud noise, then we saw the snow and ice avalanche."

Local authorities have confirmed rescue operations are in progress after the "ice avalanche" fell on tourists, and added there was likely to be a "heavy toll".