Avalanche in French 'Valley of Hell' Claims Four Lives Including Experienced Mountaineer
Avalanche in French ‘Valley of Hell’ Claims Four Lives Including Experienced Mountaineer – In a tragic incident in central France, four climbers, including the highly respected mountain guide David Vigouroux, lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries during an avalanche in the Valley of Hell.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Auvergne region, at an altitude of 5,250 feet, above the village of Mont-Dore.
Joël Mathurin, Prefect of the Puy-de-Dôme department, provided details, stating, ‘Four people died and three were injured following the accident on Sunday afternoon.’
The climbers, all linked to the Vichy Alpine Club, were roped together, with four of them buried by up to four meters of snow before the remaining individuals could call for emergency assistance. The three survivors, treated for minor injuries, were transferred to Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital.
David Vigouroux, a celebrated mountain guide leading the climb, was among the deceased. The rescue operation involved around 50 workers, including police officers, firefighters, and specially trained dogs.
Sébastien Dubourg, the mayor of Mont-Dore, expressed shock, describing the incident as the worst tragedy of its kind in 50 years.
Clermont-Ferrand prosecutors initiated an investigation into the exact causes of the avalanche, collaborating with judicial police. The mountainous terrain of the Auvergne, while not as high as the Alps or Pyrenees, is known for its remoteness, heavy snowfall, and associated risks.
Avalanche in French ‘Valley of Hell’ Claims Four Lives Including Experienced Mountaineer
Local reports revealed that Vigouroux had recently celebrated his 50th birthday on February 11 and had an extensive climbing background, including training in Auvergne, Greenland, and South America. Additionally, he authored a book on the history of mountaineering in Auvergne.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, the identities of the other three victims have not yet been disclosed.
The mountains of Auvergne, with their volcanic origins, serve as a reminder of the inherent dangers present in such environments, even for experienced climbers.
