Four dead in air collision on France-Italy border

Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage captionThe collision happened over the Rutor glacier in Italy's Aosta Valley on the border with France

At least four people have died after a helicopter and a light aircraft collided on the border between France and Italy, authorities have said.

Rescuers have recovered two injured from the crash site, Italy's mountain rescue service (CNSAS) tweeted.

The crash happened over the Rutor glacier near La Thuile in the Aosta valley.

Two helicopters were dispatched with a doctor and rescue teams on board, the CNSAS said.

Rescuers were equipped with metal-cutting tools. The injured are being taken to hospital.

So far it is unclear how the collision happened or who was on board the aircraft.

Skip Twitter post by @cnsas_official

？ #ValledAosta, ghiacciaio del #Rutor: 4 vittime recuperate dal #SoccorsoAlpino e 2 feriti elitrasportati in ospedale. Sul posto oltre ai tecnici del Soccorso Alpino anche personale medico e squadre @emergenzavvf specializzate in taglio di lamiere. Seguono aggiornamenti.

— Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico (@cnsas_official) January 25, 2019

Report

End of Twitter post by @cnsas_official

According to the Italian La Repubblica newspaper, a hospital in Aosta has activated its emergency procedure, with three operating theatres and six intensive care units ready to help the injured.

La Thuile is a popular ski resort in north-west Italy.