Two British skiers tragically lost their lives in an off-piste area of a French ski resort after being swept away by an avalanche, as confirmed by the British Foreign Office in a statement released on Friday.
The victims have been identified as a 54-year-old mother and her 22-year-old son, according to the same statement, as per ABC News.
French Alps Avalanche Kills Mother, Son
The incident occurred on Thursday when an avalanche surged through the off-piste area of the Saint-Gervais-les-Bains ski resort, situated at an altitude of 7,545 feet in the Haute-Savoie region. As a result, a number of individuals became trapped and buried beneath the snow. Strenuous efforts from numerous mountain rescuers ensued, leading to the successful rescue of six people, one of whom sustained undisclosed injuries. Regrettably, the rescuers also recovered the lifeless bodies of a man and a woman.
The mayor of Saint-Gervais, Jean-Marc Peillex, expressed his sadness, stating, "It's terrible what happened. A family is decimated, and we are very sad in Saint-Gervais." He further highlighted the unstable weather conditions during the incident, which contributed to the perilous nature of off-piste activities. "It rained, it snowed, and it was warm," Mayor Peillex added.
Authorities are currently striving to determine the precise cause of the avalanche. In a separate incident slightly north of Mont Blanc, rescuers discovered the body of a 31-year-old hiker who had fallen on the slope of the Ecrins mountain range. Accompanied by a friend, the hiker had deviated from the designated hiking paths for the purpose of observing mountain goats when the accident occurred, according to information provided by rescuers to local broadcaster France-Bleu.
The French Alps serve as a popular destination for both leisure skiing and professional competitions like the FIS Alpine Ski World Championship. However, the recent tragedy highlights the inherent risks associated with skiing off-piste, particularly when accompanied by unstable weather conditions, as emphasized by Mayor Peillex, according to Fox News.
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Avalanche Tragedy at Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
In relation to the avalanche incident at the Saint-Gervais-les-Bains ski resort, the Haute-Savoie regional administration confirmed that the avalanche occurred at an altitude of 2,300 meters (7,545 feet). Following the incident, a team of dozens of mountain rescuers embarked on a search effort to locate and aid the trapped skiers. Tragically, they discovered the deceased bodies of a man and a woman, while one individual sustained injuries and five others were successfully rescued.
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the factors contributing to the occurrence of the avalanche. Mayor Peillex reiterated the unsuitability of engaging in risky outings under unstable weather conditions, stating, "It's terrible what happened. A family is decimated, and we are very sad in Saint-Gervais." Recognizing the presence of marked paths for skiing, he emphasized the importance of adhering to designated routes.
In another unfortunate incident, a 31-year-old hiker lost their life on the slopes of the Ecrins mountain range after deviating from the established hiking paths to observe mountain goats. The hiker was accompanied by a friend during this excursion, as rescuers informed local broadcaster France-Bleu, Jaimaca Observer reported.
