Haute-Savoie: a deadly avalanche kills four people in its path

From the slopes, the huge cloud of snow seems to progress in slow motion. In reality, the avalanche travels 1,600 meters in just a few seconds. The 500-meter-wide flow impresses skiers several kilometers away. Around 11:20 am on the morning of Sunday April 9, the avalanche started its course in the Alps near the village of Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie). It started from the top of the Armancette glacier, 3,500 meters above sea level.

A rare and unpredictable phenomenon

On its way, the avalanche carried away 13 mountaineers. Four people lost their lives there, including two confirmed mountain guides, according to a provisional report. A hiker saw the avalanche rush down the glacier. “I really felt helpless and still there, I am still under the emotion, because there are people who remained there“, she confides. Throughout the day, the emergency services searched for new victims. The phenomenon is rare and unpredictable. Its origin is still unknown.