A big avalanche on the Col du Mont Maudit (on the Cosmiques route), one of the most common routes up Mont Blanc, is reported to have killed 9 people this morning.
So far, nine climbers are known to have been killed and four are still missing.
Of the nine victims, some have already been identified: one Swiss, one German and two Spanish. The last three bodies to be found were those of three British climbers.
Nine other people, all with minor injuries, have been evacuated to Sallanches hospital, and two futher climbers were recovered unharmed by the PGHM Chamonix rescue service.
At 12h00, rescue teams were still in place at 4000 metres, searching for potential victims. Italian rescuers are also participating, to re-inforce the Chamonix PGHM.
