5 Skiers Die, 1 Severely Injured in 2 French Avalanches Yesterday

5 skiers have died in two separate French avalanches yesterday.  

3 skiers are confirmed dead, 1 severely injured, and 7 survived avalanche struck 11 hikers in the French Alps yesterday at 3pm on the Glacier Blanc at 10,500-feet.  The avalanche occurred in France’s Ecrins National Park near Pelvoux only 120 km north of the tragic Germanwings crash last week.

The avalanche hit a group of 10 hikers and their guide.  The injured survivor is currently in the hospital in Grenoble in “extremely serious condition.”  The other 7 survivors were found in a nearby mountain hut awaiting emergency services.

The avalanche risk was at between 2 and 3 out of 5 at the time of the avalanche.

A large search party of 27 police officers with dogs as well as 30 firefighters are en route to assist the remaining 7 stranded skiers.

The second avalanche struck in nearby Devoluy killing two off piste skiers.

France has had 36 avalanche fatalities this winter.