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French Alps avalanche: Six killed near Chamonix French Alps avalanche: Six killed near Chamonix
(39 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. At least six climbers have been killed and nine injured in an avalanche near the French Alpine ski resort of Chamonix, police say.
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 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. The route is a popular one for 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. 'Cursed mountain'
The climbers - believed to be from Britain, Germany, Spain and Switzerland - reportedly were roped together in several groups. In all, 28 climbers were roped together in several groups, reports say.
They are believed to have reached 4,000m (13,120 ft) when the avalanche struck.They are believed to have reached 4,000m (13,120 ft) when the avalanche struck.
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 injured were airlifted to a local hospital.
In all, about 28 climbers from several countries are said to have taken part in the expedition. 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, AFP says.The local authorities described the avalanche as "the most deadly" in recent years, AFP says.
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.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.Mont Maudit - meaning the cursed mountain - is the third-highest peak in the Mont Blanc massif range, rising to 4,465m.
Last week, five foreign climbers have fallen to their deaths in the Valais canton in the Swiss Alps.