France: 9 people died of avalanches in the Alps

9 climbers were killed in an avalanche near the Chamonix ski resort in the French Alps in the early morning local time.

3 of those killed were from England, 3 from Germany, 2 from Spain and 1 from Switzerland. 12 other climbers were also injured.

The snowslide has killed 9 people and injured 12 people.

Local officials have sent helicopter rescue teams to the scene and described it as the most deadly snow avalanche in recent years.

Police said 4 other people reported missing earlier were found.

The warning was broadcast at 5:25 am in the morning by one of the injured on the Mont Maudit slopes.

This route is familiar to summer visitors heading to the top of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in western Europe.

The yellow box is the site of the avalanche.

In total, 28 people, spent a few groups, climbed the mountain together on the morning of July 12. They are believed to have climbed to a height of 4,000m when the avalanche occurred. Chamonix Mayor Jean-Louis Verdier said the avalanche was completely unexpected.

The Mont Blanc mountain range is an area that attracts many climbers, pedestrians and tourists but is also a dangerous route, with dozens of people dying on the way up there every year.

In 2008, eight climbers were also killed in an avalanche near the summit of Mont Maudit in the Mont Blanc Mountains.

Reference: BBC