Three skiers killed in avalanche in Val-d’Isère, French Alps

On Friday, an avalanche in an off-piste area of the Val-d’Isère ski resort in Savoie, France, resulted in the deaths of three skiers. A total of six individuals were swept away by the snow, including a group of four accompanied by a professional guide. Despite the immediate response of rescue services and the fact that all victims were wearing avalanche transceivers, three fatalities were confirmed. Local authorities have launched an official investigation into the incident. The current avalanche risk in the region is rated at level 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. This follows heavy snowfall from Storm Nils, which deposited between 60 and 100 centimeters of fresh snow in the area. Météo-France had previously issued a rare red avalanche warning for Savoie on Thursday due to extreme conditions. Consequently, many resorts in the French Alps have closed partially or completely to ensure public safety.