On Tuesday聽afternoon local time, an avalanche on the Dome de Neige des Ecrins in the French Alps struck three groups of roped climbers, killing seven and injuring one, . The 13,173-foot mountain is a popular climbing destination because of its relatively easy summit routes.聽
that Czech and German climbers are among the deceased, though local authorities have not released the nationalities of the victims.聽Search and rescue teams are searching the mountain.聽
Avalanches periodically bury skiers and climbers in the Hautes-Alpes, where the Dome de Neige is located, though they usually occur during the winter. 鈥淭he conditions are winter-like at the moment,鈥 police officer Christian Flagella told the Agence France-Press, .