Man and 11-year-old daughter killed in French Alps avalanche

A 44-year-old man and his 11-year-old daughter have died after being swept away by an avalanche in the French Alps, according to local media.

BFMTV reports that the two skiers, who were from Paris, died after an avalanche in the Val d’Isere area, at an altitude of 3,000 metres.


Cecile Ferrando, a spokeswoman for the tourist centre at the ski station, said they were part of a larger group.

The ski runway had reportedly been closed due to the risk of an avalanche.

Police in the Swiss canton of Valais also responded to an avalanche on Sunday, with two skiers rescued with minor injuries after being reported missing.

That avalanche occurred at an altitude of 2,500 metres in Col de Fenestral, which borders France and Italy.

Valais police initially believed that 10 people were missing, but later reported that the number was two.

A level three avalanche warning has been issued for the area – meaning there is considerable risk.