Third Briton dies in French Alps avalanches in one week

A British national was among at least three people killed in two avalanches in the French Alps on Tuesday.

The man in his 30s and another Polish citizen were part of a group of five people who were skiing off-piste near the resort town of La Grave when the avalanche struck.

Several hikers were also caught up in a second avalanche in the neighbouring Valloire area where one person was killed and two others were left in critical condition, according to authorities.

The latest incidents bring the death toll to 28 for this winter season at the popular skiing destination, and comes after two other Britons and a French national died on Friday.

Two other skiers who where part of the group in La Grave, a German and an Australian, escaped without injury.

On Tuesday, the French weather service marked the avalanche risk in the La Greve area as “high” or four on a five-point scale due to fresh snow and wind.

At the Valloire resort, the risk was categorised at the maximum of five.

Local authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of death in both avalanches.

Following the deaths of the two British nationals on Friday, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office told the BBC they were “in contact with the local authorities and stand ready to offer consular assistance”.

There have been a number of fatal avalanches in the French Alps since the start of the year, including six deaths in one weekend in January.