GENEVA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Police in Switzerland's Valais canton said Tuesday that at least four people were injured, including one seriously, in the Crans Montana area of the Alps as they continued searches for several people swept off ski slopes and buried by an avalanche.

Christian Varone, commander of the Valais cantonal police, said at a press conference aired by the Swiss national broadcaster RTS, "witnesses have informed us that other people may be buried, and the search continues using considerable resources."

Varone did not give the number of people still believed buried.

The head of Crans Montana municipality Nicolas Feraud had, however, told Le Temps French-language daily newspaper that between 10 and 12 people could be in the snow.

Some 244 people from the police, relief groups, medical helpers and the military were engaged in relief operations.

Police said eight helicopters were ready and others were taking part in the search after the tragedy, which was described as "spontaneous" and "an exceptional event."

Swiss national broadcaster RTS reported that at least four helicopters were dispatched to the scene and rescuers immediately searched for the buried persons.

The avalanche was triggered at the bottom of the Plaine Morte trail, which links the glacier of the same name to the rest of the ski area at an altitude of about 3,000 meters, the highest ski track at the Crans-Montana resort.

More people than usual were on the slopes as this week was mid-term school holidays and news.ch said that the alert for the avalanche was at 2:23 p.m. local time.

Local media said that higher than average temperatures could have triggered the avalanche which took place in a designated skiing area.

Accidents with casualties on open and marked tracks are "extremely rare," said Thomas Stucki, head of the Swiss avalanche alert service, SLF. In the last 10 years, there has been only one such accident with one death, said RTS.

Every year, avalanches cause several casualties, but mostly off the slopes or during hikes.

A FIS Alpine World Cup skiing event is scheduled to take place in Crans Montana on Feb. 23. Enditem

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