Seven Climbers Die in French Alps Avalanche

Gripped Magazine September 15, 2015

Seven climbers were killed and one was injured by an avalanche in the French Alps on Tuesday morning.

The avalanche happened at around midday local time on the 4,000m-high Dome de Neige des Ecrins. It struck three groups of roped climbers, said Pierre Besnard, the ranking state official in the region.

Victims included at least two nationalities, but Besnard didn’t name the countries. The bodies were taken to the town of Briancon.

Dome de Neige des Ecrins with a line of climbers heading up the well-trodden path. Photo Manu Ibarra

Rescuers with dogs and helicopters are still checking to determine if there were any more victims.

Christian Flagella, a local police commander, said conditions are currently “winter-like.”

The Dome de Neige is has a number of easy routes on it and is a popular peak for local and visiting climbers.