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British Man Dies in Avalanche at Val Thorens Ski Resort
A 27-year-old British national has tragically died after being caught in an avalanche at the popular Val Thorens ski resort in the French Alps. The incident follows a period of unusually heavy storms across the Alpine region, triggering widespread alerts.
Avalanche Sweeps Victim Down Mountainside
The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was reportedly near a roadside on the outskirts of the town when a surge of snow struck, propelling him approximately 15 metres (50 feet) down the slope on Thursday morning. He was promptly transported to a hospital in Grenoble suffering from cardiorespiratory failure but succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
Highest Avalanche Alert Issued in Alpine Regions
This tragic event occurred as French departments Savoie and Haute Savoie, along with other areas in the Alps, were placed under the highest possible avalanche warning. Severe snowfall, heavy rain, and subsequent flooding have created considerable disruption throughout the region.
Emergency Services Respond Swiftly
According to a statement from the local police prefecture, “Two municipal police officers and a patrol of three gendarmes on foot, alerted by a witness, arrived at the scene rapidly and successfully extricated the victim, who was in cardiorespiratory arrest at the time.”
Authorities further clarified that the man was situated “at the side of the road … and was buried and swept approximately 15 metres below” by the avalanche.
Extreme Weather Impacts Across Europe
The severe weather conditions across France, Italy, and Switzerland have resulted in at least four reported deaths. Winter resorts have been cut off, transportation networks significantly disrupted, and numerous homes have been left without electricity.
Travel Disruption and Resort Closures
Easter skiers have been cautioned to remain on marked trails and avoid venturing off-piste. The elevated avalanche risk has led to the closure of some ski resorts.
While snowfall is not uncommon in the Alps during April, the volume of snow blanketing parts of France, Switzerland, and Italy has been described as unexpectedly heavy, surprising both residents and officials.
Record Snowfall in Alpine Resorts
Meteorologists have described the snowfall on Thursday as “exceptionally unusual,” with the French alpine resort of Tignes recording 110cm (3.6 feet). Residents in Tignes were advised to remain indoors for several hours due to the hazardous conditions.
Other resorts in the region reported substantial snowfall amounts ranging from 80 to 90 cm.
Fatalities in Italy and Switzerland
In Italy, the bodies of a 64-year-old man and his 33-year-old son were discovered near Vicenza in the Veneto region, increasing the death toll in Italy to three. The pair had volunteered to assist in rescue operations following heavy rains in northern Italy and were travelling when their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. Earlier, a 92-year-old man was found deceased in his flooded residence in the northern Piedmont region, according to fire brigade reports.
Switzerland has also experienced significant impact, with “exceptional” snowfall reported in the Valais canton in the southwest. In Sion, a town within Valais, 36,000 residents were advised to stay home as a precautionary measure.
Transportation Networks Severely Affected
Across the three nations, dozens of roads have been closed due to fallen trees and the heightened risk of avalanches. Heavy goods vehicles have been prohibited from using the Mont Blanc tunnel, a key transit route between France and Italy, causing substantial traffic congestion on connecting roads.
Train services have also faced disruptions, and at one point, over 3,300 households in France and 5,000 in Italy experienced power outages, as reported by authorities.
Local Authorities Respond to Crisis
Serge Revial, the mayor of Tignes, described the weather conditions as “intense and complicated.” He issued a stay-indoors order for residents on Thursday to ensure public safety, noting that the situation was gradually improving on Friday.
The Italian air force’s weather service indicated “intense and abundant” rainfall, which transformed into snow at elevations above 1,800 metres.