26 February 2024 , 07:55
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Four climbers including a renowned mountain guide have died and three others been injured during an avalanche in the Valley of Hell in central France.
The horrific accident claimed the life of Frenchman David Vigouroux, 50, on Sunday afternoon in the Auvergne region, at an altitude of 5,250ft (1600m). Joël Mathurin, Prefect of the Puy-de-Dôme department, said the accident happened above the village of Mont-Dore, in an area known as the Val d’Enfer – the Valley of Hell.
"Four people died and three were injured following the accident on Sunday afternoon," said Mr Mathurin. "Seven people were roped together in all, and four of them were buried by the avalanche, by up to four meters of snow, before the others were able to call the emergency services. The three survivors were treated for minor injuries."
Mr Mathurin confirmed that Mr Vigouroux, a hugely respected mountain guide who was leading the climb, was among the dead. Sacha Espinasse, one of the rescuers involved, said: "It's tragic. People think we work on a small mountain, but you shouldn't think like that, because very serious accidents can happen very quickly."
All those involved were linked to the Vichy Alpine Club, and were all experienced climbers. Sébastien Dubourg, the mayor of Mont-Dore, said: "We are really stunned. This is the worst tragedy of its kind for 50 years." He said the three survivors were transferred to the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, where one was kept under observation with a moderate head trauma.
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Clermont-Ferrand prosecutors have opened an investigation into the exact causes of the accident, working with judicial police. The mountains of the Auvergne, many of which are of volcanic origin, are not as high as those in the Alps or Pyrenees, but are very remote and frequently covered in heavy snow.