Tragedy Strikes in French Alps: British Mother and Son Killed in Skiing Avalanche

A tragic incident occurred in Saint-Gervais, France, as a 54-year-old British woman and her 22-year-old son lost their lives in an avalanche while skiing off-piste near the Swiss border. The victims, part of a family group accompanied by a longtime guide, were not equipped with devices to locate survivors.

The avalanche, originating at an altitude of approximately 2,300 meters, traveled 400 meters and may have been triggered by another group of skiers at a higher altitude. The victims were discovered after a five-hour search involving 20 first responders and two helicopters.

Local authorities revealed that the guide had an avalanche beacon, but the family members did not have such devices. In a separate incident in Isère, a 31-year-old man lost his life after falling 500 meters in the Écrins Massif.

This tragedy adds to the toll of avalanche-related incidents, with a recent one claiming six lives at the Armancette glacier near Mont Blanc in southeastern France. The statistics highlight the risks, as approximately 110 people are caught in avalanches annually in France, resulting in around 30 deaths.