Friday 12 April 2013 around noon, a hugh avalanche came off the Taconnaz Glacier above the hamlet of the same name, three kilometres south of Chamonix Town centre. The shockwave hurtled across the Route Blanche, just 2 kilometres from the Mont-Blanc Tunnel.
The Avalanche defences protecting the hamlet of Taconnaz performed as intended, stopping the Avalanche in its tracks.
Emergency services responded and by mid-afternoon were able to release the good news that there had been no fataliites or injuries.
Given the vast volume of snow accumulated throughout a good winter and the significant rise in temperatures over the last few days, the mayor of Chamonix recommends that, "Everyone consult the relevant authorities for up to date information before accessing the mountains and to exercise extreme caution beyond secure areas."
Source Le Dauphiné
