4 children die in Russian avalanche

BUGULMA, Russia, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Four Russian children died and nine more were injured when they were swept over by an avalanche while out for sleigh rides, authorities said.

The avalanche was reported about 6 p.m. Monday in Tatarstan, ITAR-TASS reported.

Emergencies Ministry deputy spokesman Viktor Beltsov said the avalanche roared down a mountain in the Bugulma area, "trapping the children who were taking sleigh rides there at the time."

"Four children died and nine were injured. They are in the intensive care unit now," Beltsov told the Russian news agency.