Six climbers killed in avalanche

An avalanche in the French Alps has killed six climbers and injured six others, authorities said today.

Rescuers in Chamonix are also searching for others unaccounted for.

The gendarme service said they were alerted around 5.25am (4.25am Irish time) to the avalanche on Mont Maudit, part of the Mont Blanc range.

Several dozen gendarmes and other rescuers and two helicopters worked to pull the six dead and six injured from the mountain.

The injured climbers were taken to hospital, the gendarme service said.

About 28 climbers from several countries are believed to have taken part in the climbing expedition.