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Italian reported dead in French avalanche

An Italian and two Austrians are reported to have died in a massive avalanche that hit the French Alps on Wednesday afternoon - according to a report from Austrian broadcaster ORF.

Published: 2 April 2015 11:36 CEST
Italian reported dead in French avalanche
A rescue team at the scene in the French Alps. Photo: AFP

At least three people were killed on Wednesday when a huge avalanche hit the Alpine Ecrins National Park in south eastern France. Another person was left in a critical condition.

Austria's Alpine Club (ÖAV) said that a man from South Tyrol in Italy and two Austrians had died, while a third Austrian was reported to be in a "critical condition in hospital".

SEE ALSO: Austria's news in English

The ÖAV said that the victims had been skiing with a group of 11 people from Austria and Germany. The Local France reported that as many as ten people were swept away when the avalanche struck just after 3.00pm.

Specialist mountain rescue teams were dispatched to the scene along with sniffer dogs. The ÖAV said that they were able to rescue six Austrians and a German.

A local official, Pierre Besnard, described the victims as "young people". Their bodies have been taken to a chapel in Vallouise.

Witnesses quoted by France 3 Alpes said the avalanche was "spectacular" and occurred above the town of Villar d'Arène.

The avalanche risk in the area was between two and three at the time on a scale that reaches as high as five, reported the La Provence newspaper. 

SEE ALSO: Skiers in cable car drama amid Italy storms

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POLITICS

France vows to block EU-South America trade deal in current form

France has vowed to prevent a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc from being signed with its current terms, as the country is rocked by farmer protests.

Published: 31 January 2024 15:46 CET
France vows to block EU-South America trade deal in current form

The trade deal, which would include agricultural powers Argentina and Brazil, is among a litany of complaints by farmers in France and elsewhere in Europe who have been blocking roads to demand better conditions for their sector.

They fear it would further depress their produce prices amid increased competition from exporting nations that are not bound by strict and costly EU environmental laws.

READ ALSO Should I cancel my trip to France because of farmers’ protests?

“This Mercosur deal, as it stands, is not good for our farmers. It cannot be signed as is, it won’t be signed as is,” Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told broadcasters CNews and Europe 1.

The European Commission acknowledged on Tuesday that the conditions to conclude the deal with Mercosur, which also includes Paraguay and Uruguay, “are not quite there yet”.

The talks, however, are continuing, the commission said.

READ ALSO 5 minutes to understand French farmer protests

President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France opposes the deal because it “doesn’t make Mercosur farmers and companies abide by the same rules as ours”.

The EU and the South American nations have been negotiating since 2000.

The contours of a deal were agreed in 2019, but a final version still needs to be ratified.

The accord aims to cut import tariffs on – mostly European – industrial and pharmaceutical goods, and on agricultural products.

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