- Four people have been killed in an avalanche in the French Alps
- One person was injured and one is still missing after the incident
- Took place in Entraunes, in the southern French Alps near Italian border
- The skiers were out ‘off-trail’ in the Mercantour national park
Four skiers have been killed and another is missing after an avalanche in the southern Alps, French authorities said.
Another skier was injured following the incident in Entraunes, near the Italian border.
During a visit to the southern city of Nice, French prime minister Edouard Philippe told reporters that rescue operations are still ongoing.
Four skiers have been killed, one injured, and a sixth person is missing after an avalanche in Entraunes, near the Italian border in the southern French Alps
Local media said the skiers, including a guide, were off-trail in a remote area of the Mercantour national park.
According to reports, the avalanche was triggered just before 1pm local time on Friday.
It is the deadliest to hit France this winter after an avalanche in the Pyrenees mountains on February 15 that killed three skiers.
The he skiers, including a guide, were off-trail in a remote area of the Entraunes, pictured, when the avalanche was triggered around 1pm local time
A total of 16 people have died since France’s ski season began in November, and 11 others have been injured.
The French Alps have experienced heavy snowfall since the start of the week, as a blast of icy weather from Siberia – dubbed ‘the Beast from the East’ – engulfs Europe.
French authorities had warned against a high risk of avalanche in the Alps as a result of the snow.