A 14-year-old French schoolgirl and a Ukrainian tourist have been killed in an avalanche in the French Alps, according to reports.

Five other members of a group of pupils from Lyon are still missing, police reported.

The avalanche hit the group, their teacher and the Ukrainian on a closed piste in the Les Deux Alpes area.

Two survivors are in a serious condition.

The avalanche happened just before 4pm in Les Deux Alpes in Isère, about 50 km from the Italian border.