Swiss rescue services say 6 killed in avalanche

BERN, Switzerland - An avalanche in central Switzerland has killed six mountain climbers, Swiss rescue services said Thursday.

Two teams of three climbers were hit by an avalanche on the southwest flank of the Jungfrau peak, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) southeast of the capital Bern, Rene Feuz of the rescue station in Lauterbrunnen told The Associated Press.

The Swiss army said it was possible the victims were recruits on a training exercise. "We fear that recruits from mountaineering units were involved,'' army spokesman Daniel Laroche said.

He said a patrol of six men was in the area at the time of the accident, but added that he was unable to provide confirmation at this stage.

The climbers were scaling the 4,158-meter (13,642-foot) mountain via a standard route, according to Feuz.