Five killed in Greece avalanche

Rescue efforts were hampered by heavy snow and fog

A British journalist and four Greek climbers have been killed in an avalanche in the southern Peloponnese mountains in Greece.

Athens-based reporter Diana Seale and the others were in a group of 28 on Mount Menalos when they were caught in the avalanche.

The 23 other climbers escaped with minor injuries.

Officials say heavy snow and thick fog made access to the area difficult and hampered rescue efforts.

A helicopter, 50 firefighters, soldiers, policemen and trained dogs were involved in the operation.

Ms Seale, 31, worked for the English-language edition of the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

The climbers, who set off for the mountain near Tripoli on Sunday, were members of the Greek Mountaineering Club of Athens.

Reports say the avalanche is thought to have happened when the group was at 1,500m (4,920 ft) and on the way down the mountain.