Two schoolchildren among three killed in French Alps avalanche
The slope, 50 km from the Italian border, had been closed after days of heavy snowfall.
Three people were killed in an avalanche on a slope in the French Alps on Wednesday, and several others injured. A group of schoolchildren was among those caught in the avalanche in Les Deux Alps, 50 km from the Italian border. Two of the children died. The third victim was a Ukranian adult. The slope had been closed after days of heavy snowfall, and reports say the area had an avalanche warning.
Jean-Paul Bonnetain, a spokesperson from the prefect’s office in Isere, France, said an investigation would be launched to check whether there were warning signs for the public. A judicial inquiry will also take place, The Guardian reported.
Around 100 rescuers, with search dogs, and helicopters, were part of the teams looking for survivors. France’s education minister is expected to travel to Lyon to meet victims’ families and the school officials.