On Sunday, the 3rd January 2016, two Lithuanian alpinists lost their lives in an avalanche on La Petite Aiguille Verte in Mont Blanc massif.
The avalanche was triggered on La Petite Aiguille Verte above but not effecting the Grands Montets ski area. A group of three alpinists, climbing the normal route at a reported altitude of 3200 meters, were caught in the avalanche.
The avalanche carried one member of the group down the mountain and she died of her injuries. The two other climbers managed to stop their fall but only one of them survived.
An investigation by PGHM Chamonix in conjunction with Lithuanian Alpine Association is under way.
This is the first fatal avalanche incident of 2016 in France.
The Minister of the Interior, Bernard Cazeneuve, addresses his condolences to the families and friends of the victims. He advises everyone enjoying the Alps outside of a controlled area to exercise the greatest caution, as recent snowfalls have raised the risk of avalanche.
The three alpinists were not eqquiped with RECCO or transceivers.
*More detailed information coming in the following days.
