Six skiers killed after massive slide of snow and ice on mountain in French Alps

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Tragic: Six skiers have been killed following a huge avalanche in the French Alps

Six experienced skiers have been killed in one of the deadliest avalanches ever in the French Alps.

The bodies of the four men and two women, aged between 50 and 70, were found in the Queyras valley, in the Haute-Alpes department, today.

The party had set off on Saturday the range straddling France and Italy, but triggered the massive slide of snow and ice within a few hours.

Pierre Besnard, the Haute-Alpes prefect, said 'the bodies of three of the skiers were found overnight Saturday to Sunday', while the rest were recovered this morning.

All were French nationals, and had spent many years skiing, said Mr Besnard, who said rescue teams had worked tirelessly to try and find them.

A helicopter and rescue dogs were all involved in the emergency effort, with police saying an entire plate of compacted snow and ice had dislodged.

The skiers had begun their ascent by ski life in the resort of Ceillac, and they were found at an altitude of 2500 meters.

All had been expected back on Saturday, but the alarm was raised by relatives and friends when there was no sign of them.

'When they set off, the sky was clear and the risk of avalanche estimated at 3 out of 5', said Mr Besnard.

An investigation into the tragedy has been opened by the high mountain police Briancon, coordinated by French state prosecutors, while surviving family of the deceased are receiving psychological care.

Two skiers, including a guide, were found dead in the nearby Ecrins range, also in the Hautes-Alpes, on Thursday morning, after being swept away by an avalanche.

And on Friday a British skier fell hundreds of metres to his death while descending the north face of the Tour Ronde close to the French resort of Chamonix.

Some 17 people have died in avalanches in France since the beginning of this season, with the number rising to 30 across the entire Alps range.

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