British woman, 45, dies after getting caught in avalanche on Mont Blanc

15 January 2023, 15:03

The accident happened on Saturday on the Argentiere Glacier (stock photos)
The accident happened on Saturday on the Argentiere Glacier (stock photos). Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

A 45-year-old British woman has died after getting caught in an avalanche on Mont Blanc.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The woman had been hiking with two other people when the avalanche hit on Saturday, rescue services said.

The accident occurred on the Argentiere Glacier - one of the mountain range's biggest glaciers.

A specialist high mountain search and rescue unit was alerted to the incident by a guide at around 5pm local time.

They were sent with a doctor by helicopter to rescue the 45-year-old and she was soon found buried under the snow.

But help arrived too late and they were unable to revive her.

Read more: At least 68 dead after plane carrying 72 people crashes in Nepal

Read more: 'Senseless violence': Police hunt black Toyota as girl, 7, left fighting for her life after drive-by shooting at funeral

Police have since ordered an investigation into the accident and an autopsy.

The two other hikers were unharmed, authorities said.

Mont Blanc is western Europe's highest mountain at nearly 16,000 feet, attracting 20,000 hikers and skiers every year.

However, warmer weather in recent years has led to an increased risk of rock falls on the most popular routes.

Melting snow is also understood to trigger avalanches.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Foreign Ministers attend an Arab League extraordinary meeting in Cairo on October 11, 2023.

Egypt to host emergency Arab League summit after Trump announces plan to displace 1.8 million Palestinians and 'take over Gaza'

Jack Fincham.

Love Island star admits to feeling like a 'failure' after spending '£1 million on drugs, alcohol and gambling'

Westminster Abbey and Church House

Church of England meeting at time of ‘unprecedented crisis’ after scandals and historical abuse claims

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing

easyJet flight forced to make emergency landing after pilot collapses on board

Joel Verite was among the first on the scene of the Southport knife attack where three girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party.

Southport hero who came face-to-face with Rudakubana as he rushed to save dying girls says it was 'like a horror film'

Labour vows to punish any other MP or minister caught up in Andrew Gwynne WhatsApp group scandal

Labour vows to punish any MP caught up in Andrew Gwynne WhatsApp group scandal

Donald Trump has spoken to Vladimir Putin

Trump confirms he 'spoke to Putin about ending war in Ukraine' as Russian president 'wants to see people stop dying'

displaced Gazans walking toward Gaza City on January 27, 2025, after crossing the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops withdraw from key militarised corridor that splits Gaza in two as part of ceasefire deal

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday afternoon.

Mysterious death of British couple in French villa suspected murder-suicide as investigators consider new theories

David Schwimmer has called for Elon Musk to ban Kanye West from X

Friends star David Schwimmer calls for Kanye West to be banned from X over 'hate-filled, ignorant' remarks

The NTSB recovers the debris of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in a mid-air collision near DCA in Arlington, VA.

All major parts of DC plane and Black Hawk helicopter involved in mid-air collision recovered, investigators confirm

A Thai hostage who was freed from Hamas, Pongsak Thaenna, hugs a relative upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

'We never gave up hope': Freed Thai hostages in tears of joy as they reunite with families after more than a year

Harry and Meghan at the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games.

Meghan and Prince Harry cheer on Team UK at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Daisy the Labrador.

Stolen dog reunited with family after seven years

Irish boxer John Cooney.

Boxer dies from a brain bleed, from injury during championship fight

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting