At least four people would have died in an avalanche that swept away at least nine in the French Massif Central, near the town of Sancy, in the Puy-de-Dôme. The alarm was given at 1pm.
The rescue teams set off immediately, together with about fifteen soldiers and the Issoire search brigade, assisted by a fire brigade dog unit. The avalanche took place in the Massif central, near Sancy in France's Puy de Dôme region.