Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Search Called Off for 8 Mont Blanc Climbers

Rescuers call off search for Mont Blanc climbers lost in avalanche yesterday

Share

(Newser) – The search for eight mountaineers swept away by an avalanche yesterday on Mont-Blanc du Tacul in the French Alps has been called off because of hazardous conditions on the mountain, the Telegraph reports. The five Austrians and three Swiss nationalists are presumed dead. Ten other climbers, suffering from broken bones and hypothermia, were rescued.

The Swiss and Austrian climbers set off in a pre-dawn trek to be in position to assault the peak during daylight hours. About 3am, a chunk of ice broke away and triggered the avalanche. Some 100 people have died in the Alps this summer, including 20 on Mont Blanc. Yesterday was the worst single day for climbing fatalities in Europe since 1997, when seven people died in the Italian Alps, the Telegraph notes.

French police and rescue staff load up a French Civil Protection helicopter, prior to departing to the Mont Blanc du Tacul, in Chamonix, France.
French police and rescue staff load up a French Civil Protection helicopter, prior to departing to the Mont Blanc du Tacul, in Chamonix, France.   (AP Photo)
This June 1, 2005 file picture shows alpinists on the Arete Cosmique with a view of the north side of Mont Blanc du Tacul.
This June 1, 2005 file picture shows alpinists on the Arete Cosmique with a view of the north side of Mont Blanc du Tacul.   (AP Photo)
Rescuers get ready as a French Civil Protection helicopter flies over a rescue center, in Chamonix, France, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. Eight climbers were missing and presumed dead.
Rescuers get ready as a French Civil Protection helicopter flies over a rescue center, in Chamonix, France, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008. Eight climbers were missing and presumed dead.   (AP Photo/Thierry Boinet)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

26 Stories

WATCH IT

 Skier Films 
 Avalanche 
 That Buries Him 

Downhill racer whimpers and gasps as he awaits rescue by pals

Oct 7, 09 2:51 AM CDT
(Newser) - A skier filming a treacherous run down an Alaska cliff ended up capturing an avalanche that buried him for several agonizing minutes as he whimpered and gasped for breath. The camera, still attached to his ski helmet as he lies on his back in the snowy grave, finally picks up... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Alaska • skiing • snow • avalanche • buried alive • ski accidents • downhill run

(Newser) - An American climber and his Japanese colleague have been found frozen to death on Mount Fuji, AP reports. Authorities believe the men, reported missing last weekend, perished on their way down from the summit. The deaths on the famous mountain follow those of ten elderly hikers who died of exposure... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Japan • climbing • mountain climber • hypothermia • Mount Fuji

 Hadron Collider Hits New Snags 

CERN may run experiments through the winter to make up lost time

Jul 21, 09 2:10 PM CDT
(Newser) - The Large Hadron Collider has hit more delays, ZDNet reports, with experiments using the machine unlikely to restart until at least mid-November due to the discovery of two vacuum leaks. The agency overseeing the 17-mile atom-smasher buried under the French-Swiss border may take the unorthodox step of running its “... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Switzerland • Big Bang • experiments • Alps • CERN • Large Hadron Collider • particle physics • God particle

26 Stories


K2 hit with deadly avalanche
CBC (Canada)

Skier killed despite brother's warning
The Age


Sports  •  World 
TwitterFollow @NewserSports on Twitter

 
Mont Blanc • avalanche • Alps • mountain climber

from our news partners