France avalanche: Four die in southern Alps
- Published
At least four people have been killed in an avalanche in south-east France, police say.
The avalanche hit near the ski resort of Entraunes, in the French Alps near the border with Italy, at around 13:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
One person is thought to be missing and another is injured.
The avalanche struck in an area where people were skiing off-piste near the Mercantour national park, local media report.
A mountain rescue was underway on Friday afternoon, local officials said.
How technology could save lives on the slopes
There have been a number of deadly avalanches in the French Alps this winter, with 16 deaths recorded since the ski season began in November.
Four skiers were also killed last month while on off-piste slopes in the Pyrenees mountains in two separate avalanches.
How dangerous is off-piste skiing?
Off-piste refers to any area not marked out and maintained for use by skiers
These slopes are not groomed by snow ploughs, so rocks, precipices and cliffs may be hard to spot, especially in poor visibility
Avalanches are a major risk as marked pistes are usually protected by controlled explosions and the use of snow ploughs
But ski resorts do not have the same responsibilities for off-piste areas
- Published28 January 2018
