Avalanche Tragedy Strikes French Alps: Three Dead, Four Injured in Separate Incidents
Two separate avalanches in the French Alps on Tuesday have claimed the lives of three individuals and left four others injured, casting a shadow over the popular tourist region. The incidents occurred amidst heavy snowfall and widespread flooding, prompting extensive rescue efforts.
Valloire Avalanche Engulfs Road and Footpath
Around midday, a large avalanche approximately 300 metres wide struck Valloire in southeast France, engulfing a road and footpath. Rescue teams, including mountain police, firefighters, dog units, and army specialists, were deployed for over four hours to respond to the emergency. Operations were eventually halted due to the persistent risk of further avalanches, highlighting the dangerous conditions.
Two of the injured individuals were in serious condition and required airlifting to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment. The swift response from emergency services was critical in managing the aftermath of this devastating event.
Off-Piste Avalanche in La Grave Claims Two Skiers
In a separate incident, French broadcaster BFMTV reported that two skiers died earlier in an off-piste avalanche in La Grave, located in the neighbouring Hautes-Alpes region. According to the Gap prosecutor, this tragedy adds to the mounting death toll in the Alps, underscoring the risks associated with skiing in avalanche-prone areas.
Context of Heavy Snowfall and Flooding
The fatalities occur as France contends with heavy snowfall across the Alps and widespread flooding in its western regions after days of intense rainfall. Météo France had issued an orange avalanche alert for Savoie on Tuesday, though an improvement is anticipated. This latest tragedy follows another fatal avalanche last Friday, which claimed the lives of three skiers in the upscale resort of Val d'Isere.
Manslaughter Investigation Opened in Previous Incident
A British skier killed in an avalanche in the French Alps has been named after a manslaughter investigation was opened by authorities. Stuart Leslie was in a group of four skiing off-piste in the Val d’Isère ski resort in south-east France when they were swept away by an avalanche late on Friday morning. A second Briton and a French skier also died in the incident.
Their deaths came just a day after the resort had issued a red alert for avalanche risk, which according to Le Monde is only the third time such a warning had been issued in 25 years. Albertville public prosecutor Benoit Bachelet said in a statement that a manslaughter investigation had now been opened, according to reports. He added that the ski instructor, who was with the group, was unharmed and tested negative for drugs and alcohol.
The combination of these events highlights the severe weather challenges facing France and the critical importance of heeding avalanche warnings in mountainous regions.
