Geneva (AFP) – Four skiers were confirmed dead on Monday and five others were in critical condition after being forced to spend the night exposed to the elements in the Swiss Alps, police said. 

“Fourteen skiers who were trapped by bad weather were forced to spend the night outside in the Pigne d’Arolla area” of the Swiss Alps, police in Valais canton said in a statement, giving a death toll of four with five others in a “critical state”.