British skier dies in avalanche in French Alps
Authorities were forced to call off search and say death toll may rise
The avalanche was over one-kilometre long
Robert Harding Video/Shutterstock
A British skier has died after being submerged by a ‘very large’ avalanche at a ski resort near Mont Blanc on Tuesday (January 28).
The 55-year old was caught in the one-kilometre long and 400-metre wide avalanche whilst skiing in the Grands Montets ski area in the Herse sector.
He was skiing off-piste according to UK media reports.
Authorities staged a rescue mission, however it was lifted late in the evening due to “very unfavourable weather conditions and the significant risk of a second avalanche,” said the Haute-Savoie prefecture.
The body of the British man was found during the rescue operation, however authorities have not ruled out the death toll from rising following further searches.
The area was facing a high risk for avalanches (4 out of 5 on the local scale) at the time of the incident. The Aravis, Chablais, Mont-Blanc and Bauges massifs all face a 3 out of 5 warning today (January 29).
Earlier this month two Estonians were killed by an avalanche in the neighbouring Savoie department.
Read more: Two skiers die in avalanche in French Alps
Soon after, a British woman died after colliding with another skier, also in the Savoie department.
Read more: British skier dies in French Alps after violent collision with stationary skier
