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French Alps avalanche: Six killed near Chamonix French Alps avalanche: Six killed near Chamonix
(about 1 hour later)
At least six climbers have been killed and eight injured in an avalanche near the French Alpine ski resort of Chamonix, police say.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.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.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 - believed to be from Britain, Germany, Spain and Switzerland - reportedly were roped together in several groups.
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. They are believed to have reached 4,000m (13,120 ft) when the avalanche struck.
Rescue teams are using a helicopter and heat-seeking device to try to locate the missing. Two German, two Swiss and two Spanish nationals were killed, according to AFP. The news agency added that five Britons and two Spaniards were missing.
The local authorities described the avalanche as "the most deadly" in recent years, according to the AFP news agency. In all, about 28 climbers from several countries are said to have taken part in the expedition.
Mont Maudit - meaning the cursed mountain - is the third-highest peak in the Mont Blanc massif range, rising to 4,465m (14,650 ft). The local authorities described the avalanche as "the most deadly" in recent years, AFP says.
A news conference in Chamonix is expected shortly. The weather in the region has been warm and windy over the last few days, which could have led to an increased risk of avalanche at high altitudes, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Berne reports.
Mont Maudit - meaning the cursed mountain - is the third-highest peak in the Mont Blanc massif range, rising to 4,465m.