PARIS – An avalanche in the French Alps struck a high school ski group Wednesday afternoon, killing at least three people, according to French officials.
France’s National Gendarmerie said a search-and-rescue operation was launched in the Deux Alpes ski resort using sniffer dogs and a helicopter.
French authorities in the Alps region confirmed that two high school students and a Ukrainian skier died in the accident, which took place on a ski trail that had been closed amid avalanche warnings.
Get breaking National news
Officials say the avalanche hit 10 students and a teacher from the Saint Exupery school in Lyon. A telephone hotline has been opened in Lyon for relatives of those affected by the tragedy.
- Pope Leo will leave the hospital Saturday following lung cancer surgery, Vatican says
- Zelenskyy urges support for new U.S. sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
- Scuffles break out as protesters rally across France, joining students
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make 1st joint appearance after U.K. return
-
![]()
Washington Post journalist violently attacked, robbed by Israeli settlers in West Bank -
![]()
Ukraine says energy ceasefire with Russia is over; would reconsider if U.S. sends Patriot missiles -
![]()
Ukraine blames White House for Starlink restrictions amid Russia’s war -
![]()
India’s ‘Cockroach’ leaders jailed after protests against Modi, Gyanesh Kumar
Local officials did not give any information on the number of missing but said 60 workers had been mobilized in the search-and-rescue operation.
Commander Bertrand Host said there had been warnings of a high risk of avalanches ahead of the slide. He spoke to BFM television from the avalanche site.
The regional Dauphine Libere newspaper reported that four of the students were found in cardiac arrest but their teacher was conscious.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.