Seven hikers killed in avalanches in French Alps

Seven people died after avalanches in two separate locations in the French Alpine region of Savoie on Saturday, local authorities said, adding that the risk of another one remained high on Sunday.

The first avalanche hit two groups of hikers around noon at the town of Valloire, near the Col du Galibier mountain and four of them, between the age of 42 and 76, were killed, the prefecture of Savoie said.

Rescuers launched two helicopters and search dogs to help the victims of the avalanche and managed to save one person who was part of the group.

The second avalanche struck near the almost 3,800-metres-tall Mont Pourri, south of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, killing three people.