Four killed in avalanche in the French Alps

A general view shows an avalanche in the French Alps, in Les Contamines-Montjoie, France, April 9, 2023 in this still image obtained from a social media video. Domaine Skiable des Contamines-Montjoie SECMH / Twitter @domaineskiable via REUTERS

Four people have died and nine others have been injured in an avalanche southwest of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Sunday.

The avalanche occurred in the middle of the day on the Armancette glacier, he wrote on Twitter.

Those caught up in it were backcountry skiing in the mountains, said Emmanuel Coquand, spokesperson for the local authorities of Haute-Savoie, adding that they were still confirming the identity of the victims.

General view shows the aftermath of an avalanche near the Armancette glacier, in the French Alps, as seen from Mont Joux, France, April 9, 2023, in this picture obtained from social media. Twitter @jpclement38 via REUTERS

He said the avalanche was extensive, covering an area of one km by 500 metres (half a mile by 550 yards) at an altitude of 3,500 metres and that its causes are being investigated.

The glacier lies near the village and ski resort of Les Contamines-Montjoie.

President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter that rescue services were continuing to search for further casualties and that his thoughts were with the victims and their families.

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows the French Alpine resort of Les Contamines-Montjoie, France, February 8, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

(Reporting by Layli Foroudi; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Philippa Fletcher)