UPDATE - A third person has died after an avalanche crashed down a mountain in the Tatras, southern Poland.

Two people were killed on the spot when the avalanche happened yesterday morning. A third tourist was taken in a critical condition to hospital but died this morning. Two others are in a stable condition.

Rescuers do not exclude the possibility that other tourists are still trapped under fallen snow. The avalanche occurred at around 11.30 CET, Wednesday, under Buli pod Rysami, an area known for avalanches.

The Tatra Voluntary Rescue Service is using helicopters and sniffer dogs to see if there are any other bodies or survivors.

The avalanche occurred in an area where, in January 2003, eight Polish students from Tychy were swept away in a massive fall of loose snow. (pg)