At least three people have died following an avalanche near a top ski resort in northern Spain.

A woman was also rushed to hospital with hypothermia after the 8,850ft-high tragedy, which happened close to the Panticosa ski resort, near the French border.

The alarm was raised around 1pm this afternoon. Initial reports said there were two fatalities before it was confirmed a third person had been killed.

Another two people are said to have escaped unharmed. The first skier was found 45 minutes after the avalanche and the second 20 minutes later. 

Police said they did not believe any more skiers remained trapped.

Regional government president Jorge Azcon said: ‘Shocked by the news about the tragic mountain accident at Panticosa.

‘I am cancelling my diary to head to the scene.’

Earlier, an avalanche warning had been issued for off-piste areas in Formigal, where heavy snow has closed some runs in recent days, the ski centre said on its website.

Snow reports showed depths of up to 100cm on the higher slopes in Formigal, with a further 4cm expected today.

The incident came at a time when Spanish resorts are usually packed prior to a holiday weekend. 

The nationalities of those who died has not yet been revealed, although it is known one is a woman.

Elite officers from the Civil Guard’s Greim mountain rescue and search team have been mobilised and are working with sniffer dogs.

The tragedy is understood to have occurred near the Tablato mountain peak and affected six people.

The group had been ski touring and were caught off guard before being swept away by the snow.

Officials at the Panticosa spa and wellness resort, home to two four-star hotels, confirmed this afternoon it was operating normally and the incident had happened nearby.

It said: The avalanche the media are informing about has not happened here and has not affected its working operations.

‘The incident has happened in the high mountains, at around 8,850ft above sea level.

‘We have heard about this tragic incident which has resulted in the loss of life.

‘We deeply regret this terrible news and would like to offer our most sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who died.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.