As of: February 26, 2024, 6:05 a.m
By: Moritz Bletzinger
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Desperate search in the Massif Central: After the avalanche accident with at least four deaths, the prefecture of Puy-de-Dome issued a warning to all skiers.
© Préfet du Puy-de-Dôme
They recorded the snow masses in a “no-fall zone”.
At least four people have died in an avalanche accident in the French Massif Central.
Mont-Dore – Devastating avalanche near the Mont Dore ski resort in France.
Early on Sunday afternoon, masses of snow rolled over a group of ski tourers on the Massif Sancy in the Val d'Enfer in Auvergne.
The mountain rescue team received the alarm at around 1:30 p.m.
About three hours later, helpers found four dead and three injured.
Two other skiers are still missing.
Devastating avalanche in France: Snow slide surprises ski group in “no-fall zone”
About fifty people, including a dog team, were involved in the search on Sunday, but it was called off overnight at around 5.30pm.
The accident occurred in an extremely steep place, a so-called “no-fall zone” with a gradient of up to 60 percent.
Falls here are considered life-threatening, even if there is no avalanche.
After six centimeters of fresh snow in the past few days, avalanche level 3 was applied in Val d'Enfer. Rain may have made the snow cover unstable.
The dead ski tourists were found under four meters of snow.
“Unfortunately the mountain is stronger than us”: Skiers who had an accident probably knew their way around the mountains
According to information from the La Montagne
portal,
the avalanche hit a group from the French Alpine Club Vichy.
A mountain guide is among the dead.
The group knew their way around the mountains but was surprised by the snow slide.
Avalanches can be treacherous and are almost always life-threatening.
At a press conference on Sunday evening, the mayor of the nearby town of Mont-Dore, Sébastien Dubourg, said: "Unfortunately the mountain is stronger than us." He assured that he would do everything to ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
“We will roll up our sleeves.” The Clermont-Ferrand public prosecutor’s office is now investigating the exact cause of the accident.
Four dead and two missing after avalanche: “A tragedy that you don’t want to experience”
The search operation went smoothly on Sunday.
Within a very short time, the mayor had activated half the town.
Snowmobiles, resort trackers and ski instructors assisted in the search.
The devastating avalanche ended fatally for at least four people.
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“It’s a tragedy you don’t want to experience,” Dubourg said.
Unfortunately, avalanche accidents occur again and again in the Alps.
The search for the two missing skiers will continue at full speed on Monday.
The fear runs deep in the Auvergne.
(moe)