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| France: Six mountaineers die in Alps avalanche | France: Six mountaineers die in Alps avalanche |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Six mountaineers have died in the French Alps, officials say. | Six mountaineers have died in the French Alps, officials say. |
| A British hiker found the bodies near the Neige Cordier summit at an altitude of 2,700m (8,850 feet). | A British hiker found the bodies near the Neige Cordier summit at an altitude of 2,700m (8,850 feet). |
| "The victims were climbing roped together in two groups. It looks like there was a slide of snow and stones mixed together," the local mayor, Xavier Cret, told AFP news agency. | "The victims were climbing roped together in two groups. It looks like there was a slide of snow and stones mixed together," the local mayor, Xavier Cret, told AFP news agency. |
| The climbers appear to have died while making an ascent in good weather on Saturday, police said. | The climbers appear to have died while making an ascent in good weather on Saturday, police said. |
| The bodies have been flown to the village of Villar-d'Arene for identification. | The bodies have been flown to the village of Villar-d'Arene for identification. |
| A local official said that the dead included a 16-year-old boy, two men and three women aged between 42 and 64, according to AFP. All are believed to be French nationals. | |
| The hiker discovered the climbers' bodies as he followed the same route as they had taken a day before, mountain rescue police said. | The hiker discovered the climbers' bodies as he followed the same route as they had taken a day before, mountain rescue police said. |
| The mayor, Xavier Cret, said that the climbers appeared to have died after falling some 200m (650ft). | |
| It is thought they stayed overnight in a mountain hut before attempting an ascent to a point at about 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) in the Massif des Ecrins. | It is thought they stayed overnight in a mountain hut before attempting an ascent to a point at about 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) in the Massif des Ecrins. |
| They were in a narrow chasm used by both skiers and climbers and, according to a local official, carried with them the ice-picks and other equipment needed for a difficult climb. | |
| Police have opened an investigation into the accident. | Police have opened an investigation into the accident. |