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Climbers struck by Alps avalanche Climbers struck by Alps avalanche
(30 minutes later)
Ten mountaineers are missing after an avalanche swept down part of the Mont Blanc range in the French Alps.Ten mountaineers are missing after an avalanche swept down part of the Mont Blanc range in the French Alps.
They were among a party of climbers who were hit by a wall of snow 200m (600ft) long and about 45m wide while roped together climbing Mont-Blanc du Tacul. They were among a party of climbers who were hit by a wall of snow 200m (600ft) long and about 45m wide while roped together on Mont-Blanc du Tacul.
At least eight people are reported to have been rescued and taken to a hospital in Chamonix.At least eight people are reported to have been rescued and taken to a hospital in Chamonix.
Three helicopters and dozens of rescuers with specially trained dogs are continuing the search. The search for survivors, involving helicopters and rescuers with dogs, has been hindered by new avalanche threats.
Officials told the AFP news agency the missing included five Austrian and two Swiss climbers. The nationality of the others is not yet known. Officials told AFP news agency the missing included five Austrian and two Swiss climbers. The nationality of the others is not yet known.
Those brought to safety are reported to include five French climbers and three Italians, aged between 26 and 37 years.Those brought to safety are reported to include five French climbers and three Italians, aged between 26 and 37 years.
Some were dug out from the snow by rescuers, while others managed to free themselves from the snow. Some were dug out from the snow by rescuers, while others managed to free themselves.
The avalanche is believed to have happened at about 0300 (0100 GMT) after a fall of large block of glacier ice broke off higher up the mountain. The group of climbers had been bivouaced on the slope below.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield said search had to be suspended for a while because of fears of a new avalanche.
France's Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is expected to travel to Chamonix to visit the injured.France's Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is expected to travel to Chamonix to visit the injured.
Our correspondent says it has been a lethal summer in the Alps with about 100 climbers killed since 1 June in France, Italy and Switzerland - about 20 of them have died on Mont Blanc.