Avalanche kills seven climbers in the Alps

An avalanche in the French Alps has swept seven climbers to their deaths on one of the region’s most popular routes. The avalanche struck three groups of roped climbers, said Pierre Besnard, the prefect of the Hautes-Alpes region.

Victims included at least two nationalities, Mr Besnard told BFM television. He didn’t name the countries. The bodies were taken to the town of Briancon.

The avalanche of snow hit on the dome of the Ecrins massif, which reaches 4,000 metres, near the town of Pelvoux.