Three Dead in Two Separate Avalanches in France
16th February 2025
The deadliest happened to a group of ski tourers near Val d’Isere. The other incident occurred at the Belledonne massif. NEW
The accident near Val d’Isere involved five people who were ski touring near the Iseran Pass at an altitude of 2,760m.
A woman and a man in his 30s were buried under the snow.
The three others were able to locate them using their transceivers and avalanche rescue equipment.
The rescue services from Val d’Isere arrived swiftly but were unable to save the two who had suffered cardiorespiratory arrest.
The three others were taken to the medical centre in Val d’Isere where they have been treated for shock.
The avalanche risk at the time was at Level 3 on a scale of 5, meaning there was ‘considerable’ danger.
In the other accident a group of back country skiers was ascending the Grands Moulins peak.
An avalanche swept away three people in the group.
A 30-year-old woman died and two men sustained serious injuries.
Another group of ski tourers raised the alarm.
The avalanche risk at the time was at Level 3.
The authorities are urging caution off piste after recent snow and fluctuating temperatures.
Avalanche in the Alps. Image © PlanetSKI
“It is important to not believe that Level 3 out of 5 is an average risk level,” said the Prefect of Savoie, François Ravier.
More people die when the risk is at Level 3 than any other level as some people falsely believe it to be a moderate or average risk.
The latest accidents take the avalanche death toll to 18 so far this winter in France.
Related Articles:
- Five dead in avalanches in the Alps
- More wet snow avalanches in the future
- AI helps to predict avalanches in Switzerland
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