Five people have died in an avalanche in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

The victims were riding snowmobiles in the McBride area when the avalanche occurred.

Karl Klaasen, of Avalanche Canada, said the avalanche appears to have been "human-triggered".

Dan Moskaluk of the McBride Royal Canadian Mounted Police said, "several snowmobiling groups were in the area at the time. Efforts by the RCMP and SAR are continuing in making a determination that all other snowmobilers that were in the area are accounted for.

"6 to 8 other snowmobilers lost snowmobiles in the avalanche and are being shuttled off of the mountain," he added.

At least three separate groups of snowmobilers were caught in the avalanche, according to police.