According to police officers a high school group was caught in an avalanche in the French Alps Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016. Two people were killed and five were seriously injured.
The National Gendarmerie announced the launch of an enormous rescue operation once ten of the students and a professor were caught in the avalanche at the Deux Alpes ski resort outside Grenoble around 4 p.m. local time, 10 a.m. ET.
Rescue crews used heat-detection equipment to find the missing members of the school group. One of the high school students was found dead. According to rescue crews, another skier outside of the high school group was also found dead.
The local police in Grenoble reported to NBC News that the high school ski group was from the Saint-Exupery High School in Lyon.
The Prime Minister of France, Manuel Valls, expressed his condolences over the tragedy the avalanche brought several families. He tweeted that his thoughts were with the families, the victims, and those who are still fighting for their lives.
Inside the Planet will have more to report on the avalanche in the French Alps as it is made available. Updates will be periodically posted.
By Jeanette Smith
Source:
NBC News:Â Avalanche in French Alps Hits High-School Group in Deux Alpes Resort
Image courtesy of martin_vmorris’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Tre'vell Hill