Three climbers were killed in an avalanche on Ben Nevis on Tuesday, following hazardous warnings of a high avalanche risk .

The incident, which injured one other person, occurred at 11.50am in gully number five located on the mountain’s north-eastern aspect.

At 6pm on Monday evening, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service released a hazardous forecast for the north-eastern aspect of Ben Nevis, classing the avalanche risk as “high”.

The warning said that “freezing” temperatures, heavy snowfall and strong winds linked to Storm Gareth would result in “high instability” on the mountain.

Donald Paterson, deputy team leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, said the four men - believed to be Swiss nationals - had been hit by a "massive" avalanche that fell 1500ft on top of them.