Following a devastating avalanche in the Mont Blanc massif, France, authorities have launched a manslaughter investigation into the incident that claimed the lives of a British mother and son on Thursday, December 28th, 2023. The tragic event has shocked the skiing community and raised questions about the safety measures in place for off-piste skiers in the area.

Prosecutor Karline Bouisset announced that the police are actively searching for two backcountry skiers, believed to have potentially triggered the fatal avalanche. The Chamonix PGHM, in collaboration with the Megève brigade, is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the avalanche to determine what happened and who may be responsible. Simultaneously, the prosecutor's office is gathering evidence to pursue possible manslaughter charges.

A thorough examination of the avalanche site is being conducted by an avalanche expert, Guy Le Nevé from the Chamonix search team, who will provide a detailed report soon. Preliminary findings suggest that the area where the tragedy occurred is intended for expert skiers, and the group involved in the incident had a good understanding of the terrain and the ski instructor. It was noted that the instructor did not possess a beacon, contrary to earlier reports.

The ill-fated British mother and son were part of a guided group consisting of three other family members and a ski instructor. Out of the six skiers, three were swept away by the avalanche and buried. Tragically, the mother, aged 54, and her 22-year-old son did not survive the ordeal. The instructor, who was also swept away and buried, managed to escape the avalanche with minor injuries.

The deadly avalanche occurred at approximately 3:40 p.m. in a popular off-piste area near the Mont-Joly chairlift in the Saint-Gervais-les-Bains ski area of the Mont-Blanc massif. The avalanche originated at an altitude of around 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) and descended approximately 400 meters (1,312 feet) down the slope.

The Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne de Chamonix Mont-Blanc ('PGHM') launched an extensive search and rescue operation in response to the avalanche. Throughout the night, the dedicated avalanche rescue team worked tirelessly to locate and extract the victims. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain for the mother and son, who succumbed to their injuries. The father, who was also part of the ski group, fortunately remained unharmed.

Initial investigations by officials at Haute-Savoie indicate that the 1,300-foot-long avalanche may have been triggered by two other skiers traversing a higher section of the slope. A full investigation will be conducted by the Bonneville prosecutor's office to determine the exact circumstances leading to this tragedy.

The Mayor of Saint-Gervais-Les Bains, Jean-Marc Peillex, expressed his sorrow, stating, "Mont-Joly is a mountain that is open to alpine skiing but has very steep slopes and is unfortunately very popular with off-piste skiers. Today, it was not the time to go off-piste."

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with off-piste skiing and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. With around 100 people caught in avalanches each year and approximately 30 losing their lives in France alone, it is crucial for skiers to exercise caution and make informed decisions when venturing off-piste.

The investigation into this tragic avalanche will be ongoing, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the incident and fostering discussions about enhanced safety measures in popular skiing areas.

[Image: PGHM Chamonix]