Four people have been killed in an avalanche at a popular ski resort in south-east France.
A father, two teenage snowboarders and their instructor were amongst the casualties, when the crashing snow swept through an off-piste area shortly before 10:30 local time (09:30 GMT) on Monday. All four victims were French nationals.
The 400m-wide avalanche occurred at an altitude of 2,100 metres, during a period when the resort, a favourite of British skiers, is particular busy. It is reported to have been set off by a group of skiers further up the mountain.
Rescuers had feared that more people may have been caught in the avalanche, but after extensive searches with helicopters and sniffer dogs, Albertville Deputy Prefect Nicolas Martrenchard said “the definitive death toll is four victims”.
Monday’s avalanche was the 14th, and most deadly, skiing accident in the Alps and Pyrenees this winter
