Natural disasters
Two avalanches occurred in the "Savoy" region, west of the French Alps, killing seven people on Saturday. And the American Associated Press reported that "the avalanche happened at midday at the Valwar ski resort." Four hikers, aged between 42 and 76, were killed as a result of the accident.
"Three persons were killed in a second avalanche this afternoon in the Mont Bouri region," the authorities added. Extreme caution is advised for hikers and skiers in the Savoie region, which borders Italy. Avalanches are anticipated to be triggered by the present warm weather following last week's heavy snowfall.
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| Thousands of vehicles have been stranded for a second day in the French Alps due to snow and ice |
Thousands of vehicles have been stranded for a second day in the French Alps due to snow and ice, clogging holiday traffic to and from ski resorts.
According to authorities in the Savoy region, up to 15,000 people slept in makeshift shelters on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, hundreds of travellers were stranded at a Chambery airport, with some citing a shortage of amenities as a reason.
The cold spell has also wreaked havoc in the United Kingdom and Germany.
According to French media reports, conditions improved on Sunday, with forecasters dropping an orange weather alert for ice and snow, the second highest in the country.
The French authorities had previously advised motorists to "exercise extreme caution" and avoid travel if at all feasible.
One man was murdered when his vehicle went into a ravine in the Isere region on Saturday, while another guy was murdered in an avalanche on Sunday.
According to the French daily Le Monde, three more persons perished in snow-related accidents across France earlier this week.
Separately, Crystal Ski, a British ski operator, has said that it has scheduled emergency flights to enable hundreds of visitors detained at Chambery Airport in the Savoy region return home.
On Saturday, local gyms and community centres became stranded motorist shelters.