Avalanche hits French ski slope, engulfing many skiers: police
According to witnesses there are many people under the avalanche
A general view of the alpine ski resort in Tignes, France, March 15, 2011. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
TIGNES, FRANCE:
An avalanche swamped a ski slope in the popular French Alps resort of Tignes on Tuesday, engulfing "many" skiers, police said.
Rescue workers and sniffer dogs are being deployed and staff at the sprawling resort are being mobilised, a journalist said at the scene.
"According to witnesses there are many people under the avalanche," a police spokesman said.
Five French Foreign Legionnaires killed in Alps avalanche
Poor visibility is so far preventing the deployment of helicopters.
The avalanche hit at about 10:00 am (0900 GMT).
Tuesday's avalanche risk – normally assessed only for off-piste and closed slopes – was at four on a scale of five.
At level five, all slopes are closed.
An avalanche killed four people who were exploring an off-piste section in the same area on February 13.
An avalanche swamped a ski slope in the popular French Alps resort of Tignes on Tuesday, engulfing "many" skiers, police said.
Rescue workers and sniffer dogs are being deployed and staff at the sprawling resort are being mobilised, a journalist said at the scene.
"According to witnesses there are many people under the avalanche," a police spokesman said.
Five French Foreign Legionnaires killed in Alps avalanche
Poor visibility is so far preventing the deployment of helicopters.
The avalanche hit at about 10:00 am (0900 GMT).
Tuesday's avalanche risk – normally assessed only for off-piste and closed slopes – was at four on a scale of five.
At level five, all slopes are closed.
An avalanche killed four people who were exploring an off-piste section in the same area on February 13.