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Home > News > Feature Stories > Nine killed in Mont Blanc avalanche
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Friday, 13 July, 2012

Nine killed in Mont Blanc avalanche

The search for bodies continues this morning near Chamonix after an avalanche claimed the lives of nine climbers, including one Swiss, in the French Alps.The tragedy comes 10 days after five climbers were swept to their deaths in the canton of Valais. It goes without saying that climbing is a risky sport. But can more be done to prevent these kinds of tragedies? WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Jean-Franck Charlet, who’s head of safety at the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation in Bern:

— Dave Goodman, World Radio Switzerland
A rescue worker helicopter returning from the avalanche site, lands in Chamonix. (Keystone/AP Photo)
French rescuers arrive at a helicopter landing area after an avalanche in the French Alps near Chamonix, France, swept at least nine climbers to their deaths. (Keystone/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
Gendarmes cover a victim of the avalanche at Chamonix rescue base, French Alps. (Keystone/AP Photo)
French Interior Minister Manuel Valls speaks to media at the rescue airbase as rescue operations take place following an avalanche on Mont Maudit mountain, near Chamonix in the French Alps, in France. (Keystone/EPA/GREGORY YETCHMENIZA / MAXPPP)
A rescue helicopter takes off as part of rescue operations following an avalanche on Mont Maudit mountain, near Chamonix in the French Alps, in France. (Keystone/EPA/GREGORY YETCHMENIZA / MAXPPP)
Clouds billow over the French Alps where an avalanche in the mountains near Chamonix, France, swept at least nine climbers to their deaths. About 28 climbers from Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Denmark and Serbia were believed to be involved in the expedition were caught in the avalanche. (Keystone/AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

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