Arabic version: انهيار ثلجي مأساوي يودي بحياة بريطاني ثالث في جبال الألب الفرنسية
A British national was among at least three people killed in two avalanches in the French Alps on Tuesday. The man in his 30s was skiing off-piste near the resort town of La Grave with a group of five when the avalanche struck. Alongside him, a Polish citizen also lost their life in the incident, while two other skiers from their group, a German and an Australian, managed to escape without injury.
The second avalanche occurred in the neighbouring Valloire area, where one person was killed and two others were left in critical condition. This recent tragedy adds to a grim tally of 28 deaths this winter season in the popular skiing region, following the deaths of two other Britons and a French national last Friday, as reported by BBC News.
The French weather service has classified the avalanche risk in the La Grave area as “high,” rated four on a five-point scale, due to fresh snow and wind. The Valloire resort has been marked with the maximum risk level of five. These warnings highlight the dangerous conditions that skiers may face in the region.
In response to the recent fatalities, local authorities have initiated investigations to determine the cause of death in both avalanches. Following the earlier deaths of the two British nationals, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office confirmed they are in contact with local authorities and are prepared to offer consular assistance to affected families.
Avalanches have been a significant concern in the French Alps this winter, with multiple incidents leading to fatalities, including six deaths in one weekend in January. The ongoing risk emphasizes the need for caution among winter sports enthusiasts in the area.