Hautes-Alpes: three dead and three missing in an avalanche – Europe1

Hautes-Alpes: three dead and three missing in an avalanche – Europe1

Europe 1 Julien Ricotta with AFP Published at 8:10, January 25, 2015 , Modified to 8:10, January 25, 2015

© PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP

Julien Ricotta with AFP

Three skiers in the French Alpine Club were found dead in the night from Saturday to Sunday, victims an avalanche in the French Alps. Three other companions were the ones missing,

according to the prefecture of the Hautes-Alpes. The six skiers had been heard of since Saturday noon, in the Massif du Queyras. Hikers comprised an experienced group of four men and two women of French nationality, aged 50 to 70 years. They left Saturday morning for a ski trip, were victims of a major snow slide that would have triggered their path, said the prefecture.

Pessimism for the three missing persons . “The research was interrupted at 1:00 am that night because of weather conditions on the ground, which made the work of perilous rescue. Their safety was not guaranteed,” said the Prefect of the Hautes-Alpes Pierre Besnard. “The three bodies will be repatriated at daybreak, when the helicopter PGHM Briançon will be on site. We are pessimistic about the others,” he said. The high mountain police squad (PGHM) Briançon installed a command post in the hall of Ceillac, common from which skiers began their ascent.