Four Climbers Found Dead on Mont Blanc After Phone Connection Lost

Tragedy struck on Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, as four climbers from Italy and South Korea were found dead after being missing for three days due to inclement weather. The local French prefecture confirmed the grim discovery on Tuesday, stating that the climbers had succumbed to exhaustion.

The Haute-Savoie prefecture reported to AFP that rescuers located the climbers’ bodies after a helicopter from the PGHM mountain police based in Annecy was able to land near the site around 1:30 PM. The deceased were found at an altitude between 100 and 200 meters (approximately 330 to 660 feet) from the summit.

Initial efforts to find the climbers began when the authorities were alerted late on Saturday about three missing climbing parties in perilous weather conditions close to Mont Blanc’s summit. Reports indicated that the parties had set out without guides, which is often a risky decision on such a formidable peak.

On Sunday morning, thanks to an intensive rescue operation, two Korean climbers were located alive at an altitude of 4,100 meters (13,450 feet). However, the weather conditions continued to deteriorate, making it increasingly difficult for search teams to locate and rescue those who remained unaccounted for in the following days.

By Tuesday morning, search efforts faced significant challenges, with one helicopter even having to retreat due to the thick cloud cover around Mont Blanc. A senior PGHM official relayed to the regional daily Le Dauphine Libere that they had managed to reach the Italian climbers by phone at a location of 4,600 meters on the north face of the mountain, but the connection was soon lost.

Mont Blanc, standing at 4,809 meters, is a destination for climbers from across the globe, yet it is important to recognize the inherent dangers associated with the climb. In 2022, a mayor from a nearby town proposed a controversial measure, suggesting that climbers should pay a €15,000 deposit to cover potential rescue and funeral expenses. This suggestion aimed to discourage “pseudo climbers” who embark on the ascent without proper preparation.

Jean-Marc Peillex, the mayor of Saint-Gervais, expressed his concerns about the alarming trend of climbers attempting the mountain under dangerous conditions, highlighting that many in the climbing community were ill-equipped to face the perils of the ascent. He noted, “I wanted to make people react, to understand that today it’s very dangerous, almost suicidal to go up.”

The ongoing effects of climate change have also taken their toll on Mont Blanc, with melting glaciers revealing the remains of climbers who perished decades ago. A report in 2019 highlighted the alarming rate at which glaciers on the Italian side of Mont Blanc have been receding, with a loss of nearly 40% of their mass over the last 50 years.

As this tragic incident underscores, climbing Mont Blanc is not just a test of skill and endurance but also a confrontation with the unpredictable forces of nature. The harrowing experiences of climbers serve as a reminder of the need for caution and preparation when venturing into the mountains, particularly on peaks renowned for their treacherous conditions.

The climbers’ bodies have since been brought down from the mountain, and family members have been informed of the devastating loss. As rescuers continue to reflect on this tragedy, it serves as a stark wake-up call for the climbing community about the importance of safety and preparation in the face of nature’s unpredictable challenges.

Source: CBS News