Deadly avalanches have struck the French Alps hard, claiming four lives in just three days. These tragic incidents push the European ski season death toll to at least 66, underscoring the dangers of the current heavy snowfall.
Double Tragedy Strikes on Monday
Monday saw two separate fatal off-piste avalanches. A man in his early 30s was crushed by a “very large avalanche” near Montgenevre, right on the Italian border. His companion escaped unharmed.
Later, a 38-year-old skier died in Saint-Agnes near Grenoble while skiing off-piste in the Belledonne mountain range. Again, his partner survived without injury, police confirmed.
Weekend Death Toll Adds to Mounting Fear
- Saturday’s twin fatalities hit near Saint-Veran in southeastern France. Two men in their 30s were buried by an avalanche at Tete de Longet peak. They were part of a group of four, with two skiers surviving.
- The Alpine rescue service reported three more deaths the same day in Italy’s Trentino Alto Adige and Lombardy regions – both key venues for the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Games.
- Two avalanches in the Marmolada area of the Dolomites near Cortina d’Ampezzo caused some of these fatalities, as women’s Alpine skiing competitions continue.
Briton’s Death and Off-Piste Warnings
Just last month, a British man in his 50s died in an avalanche at La Plagne in the French Alps. Rescuers found him buried under eight feet of snow after a frantic 50-minute search.
All four victims in the recent French Alps tragedies were skiing off-piste – outside marked runs where avalanche risks spike. Each time, a fellow skier survived, highlighting the risks off marked trails.
The European Avalanche Warning Services say avalanches kill around 100 people annually in Europe. This season has already seen 66 fatalities.
Calls for Tougher Safety Measures Mount
Despite avalanche warnings sweeping across multiple Alpine regions, many skiers continue to ignore the risks and ski off-piste. Authorities are yet to announce any new restrictions, but concerns grow over safety enforcement amid the rising death toll.
The European Avalanche Warning Services continue to monitor conditions closely, issuing warnings to keep skiers safe as the peak season rages on.
