One Croatian climber was killed and two others are missing after being swept away by a snow avalanche in northwestern Slovenia, local police said.

“Rescuers have recovered one deceased but the search has been suspended due to difficult weather conditions and because there is a risk of avalanches,” police spokesman Bostjan Repinch told the Agence France-Presse, explaining that the search and rescue operation would resume tomorrow, Monday.

The three climbers were part of a seven-member team from Croatia. They stayed in a shelter near Mount Tosk and this morning decided to start their descent, although the weather conditions had deteriorated.

The rescue operation, involving about 60 men, got underway very quickly, but bad weather – rain, snow and strong winds – prevented the helicopters from taking off in the afternoon, when the first body was found.