A、Because of the serious snowstorms. B、Because of a lack of snow. C、Because of the increasing number of skiers. D、Because of the

Two French schoolchildren and a Ukrainian tourist have been killed in an avalanche at a ski resort in the French Alps. Three others-two pupils and a teacher-were seriously injured. All members of the group have now been accounted for by rescue teams. The avalanche struck the group, their teacher and the Ukrainian on a closed piste in the Les Deux Alpes area.
    Witnesses said the avalanche was likely to have been triggered by groups skiing through the area. The Bellecombe piste is situated on a particularly icy north-facing side of mountain. The piste had been closed since the beginning of the ski season because of a lack of snow over the holiday period. However, large quantities of snow have fallen on the French Alps in recent days, raising the risk of avalanches, the regional government said.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
1. How many people died in the avalanche?
2. Why had the Bellecombe piste been closed since the beginning of the ski season?