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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| French Alps avalanche: Six killed near Chamonix | French Alps avalanche: Six killed near Chamonix |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| At least six climbers have been killed and eight injured in an avalanche near the French Alpine ski resort of Chamonix, police say. | |
| The alarm was sounded at 05:25 local time (03:25 GMT) by one of the injured on the slopes of Mont Maudit. | |
| Foreigners are thought to be among the victims. The injured were airlifted to a local hospital. | |
| The mountain is known as a popular route for summer tourists heading for the summit of Mont Blanc. | The mountain is known as a popular route for summer tourists heading for the summit of Mont Blanc. |
| The climbers are believed to have been roped together in several groups when the avalanche struck. | The climbers are believed to have been roped together in several groups when the avalanche struck. |
| About 28 climbers from several countries are said to have taken part in the expedition, and reports say a number of them are still missing. | |
| Rescue teams are using a helicopter and heat-seeking device to try to locate the missing. | |
| The local authorities described the avalanche as "the most deadly" in recent years, according to the AFP news agency. | |
| Mont Maudit - meaning the cursed mountain - is the third-highest peak in the Mont Blanc massif range, rising to 4,465m (14,650 ft). | Mont Maudit - meaning the cursed mountain - is the third-highest peak in the Mont Blanc massif range, rising to 4,465m (14,650 ft). |
| A news conference in Chamonix is expected shortly. | A news conference in Chamonix is expected shortly. |