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An intense spring storm that moved into the Alps this week hit hard and heavy in terms of loss of life. Fourteen people have reportedly perished, not all in the same group, as a result of the storm, the most since 1999, according to records.
Reports vary but include deaths in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. Seven people reportedly died as they were traversing the Haute Route, a famous backcountry skiing, hut-to-hut route in the Alps from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland that requires glacier travel.
The group of 14 skiers was caught out in the heavy storm as they were traversing, including the guide who perished as the group had to spend a freezing night out in the storm. They were reportedly very close to the Vignettes Hut in the Swiss canton of Valais. Four people reportedly perished that night while another three died after being transported to local hospitals.
In other reaches of the great European mountain range two French skiers died, a Russian climber perished as well as a pair of Swiss hikers. A pair of skiers was also caught in an avalanche near Mont Blanc.
