A devastating month of avalanche deaths continued in the Alps today as five French Foreign Legion soldiers were killed backcountry skiing while six have been listed in critical condition. According to the BBC, the avalanche struck near Valfrejus, near the Italian border. The soldiers were part of a group training in off-piste snow techniques.
Rescue crews with search dogs and helicopters immediately began rescue efforts following the slide. This disaster comes on the heels of an avalanche at Les Deux Alpes that left three dead including two school children who were skiing a closed area of the resort. The teacher in care of the students at the time is being charged with manslaughter.
The military outfit was skiing in the Petit Argentier area at about 7,200 feet, according to the report, and were members of the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment based at Saint-Christol in the south of France. They were part of a regiment training at France’s center for mountain warfare at Modane.
While the nationalities are not known, the French Foreign Legion was originally created in the 19th century as a way for foreigners to join French fighting forces but has since been open to French nationals. According to the AFP, an avalanche also killed two French soldiers in 2012.
Photo: AFP/LEDAUPHINE.COM
