An avalanche in the Swiss canton of Valais, which borders France and Italy, has swept away two people, police said on Sunday, revising down the number of missing from 10.

The avalanche took place at an altitude of 2,500 metres in an area called the Col de Fenestral, a spokesman said earlier on Sunday, adding that a search was under way.

The Valais police later said the number of missing had been revised down to two.

No further details were immediately available.