An avalanche this morning on Mont Blanc has killed nine climbers, injured 14 and five climbers are still missing.

The victims included  British Mountain Guide Roger Payne who was the former Secretary General of the The British Mountaineering Council and former President of the British Mountain Guides.

Rescuers believe the avalanche was triggered when a serac collapsed above the climbers.

The climbers were on the Trois Monts route, which links Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit and Mont Blanc and is the most popular route to the summit of Mont Blanc. This climb has been the scene of numerous past accidents including the 2008 accident that killed eight climbers.

More details on Planet Mountain and the London Evening Standard.