Three dead after avalanche in French Alps

"Local authorities confirmed that three people died after an avalanche in Val d'Isere on Friday morning. All three had been skiing off-piste in the Savoie area of the French Alps, the local tourist office told French media, adding that the avalanche hit at around 11.30am and swept away five skiers, three of whom died. The nationality of the skiers is not known at this stage."

""Despite the rapid response of emergency services, three victims died. They were all well equipped and accompanied by a professional," added the tourist office spokesman. The avalanche risk in the area had been rated 4/5. Four skiers were killed in the French Alps in separate incidents early in the month, while six skiers died in separate incidents in January after avalanches hit French resorts including Courchevel and La Plagne."

An avalanche struck in Val d'Isere on Friday morning, sweeping away five skiers and killing three who had been skiing off-piste in the Savoie area of the French Alps. The incident occurred at around 11.30am and the nationalities of the victims are not yet known. Emergency services responded quickly, but the three victims died; the tourist office said they were well equipped and accompanied by a professional. The avalanche risk in the area had been rated 4/5. The deaths raise the toll in French ski resorts to 13 since the start of the year, after multiple off-piste incidents in January and earlier in February, prompting extra warnings and discouragement of off-piste skiing during high-risk conditions and heavy snowfall, especially during the February school holidays.

Read at www.thelocal.fr