Huge Rockslide in French Alps

28th August 2023

Last modified on August 30th, 2023

700 cubic meters of rocks came crashing down in the Mauriene Valley narrowing missing vehicles on a road below. It was caught on camera.

The rockslide occurred at 5:15 pm (1515 GMT) on Sunday.

Regional authorities in the Savoie said that “boulders with a total volume of 700 cubic metres” hit a protective barrier along the RD 1006 road that leads to the Mont-Cenis pass into Italy’s Susa valley.

Train services between France and Italy have been stopped until at least Thursday.

A significant landslide occurred in the Maurienne valley (Alps), France at around 5:15 pm (local time) today. It is estimated to have involved 700 cubic meters of rock. pic.twitter.com/t3KfavMu1V
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) August 27, 2023

The French government said normal services will return in several days but no timescale has been announced.

“After this massive landslide yesterday in Maurienne, our services are mobilised to restore road and rail service as quickly as possible,” said the French Transport Minister, Clement Beaunehe.

The cause of the rockfall is being investigated.

There has been high temperatures in the recent weeks followed by heavy rain in the area at the weekend.

The Frejus tunnel connecting France and Italy under the Alps has also been closed to heavy trucks.

Drivers are being advised to use the Mont Blanc tunnel or the A8 motorway instead.