File photo shows Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest mountain.
Paris:
Five climbers died and a sixth went missing on Wednesday on France's Mont Blanc, officials said.
August is the height of the climbing season on Europe's tallest mountain, where even in the warmest months fierce snowstorms can strike quickly.
Several mountaineers have died already this summer including at least one experienced guide and local officials say they fear many people come to Mont Blanc ill-prepared for the dangers.
The climbers disappeared overnight as they were trying to reach the Aiguille d'Argentiere, which tops out around 3,900 meters (12,800 feet). Mont Blanc, in addition to its primary peak, contains some 200 summits.
The bodies of five climbers were located on Wednesday, while a sixth has not been found, said Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of Saint-Gervais, a town at the foot of Mont Blanc.
Search and rescue teams in helicopters are flying over the area.
Mont Blanc touches France, Switzerland and Italy, and thousands come each year to reach its summit.
August is the height of the climbing season on Europe's tallest mountain, where even in the warmest months fierce snowstorms can strike quickly.
Several mountaineers have died already this summer including at least one experienced guide and local officials say they fear many people come to Mont Blanc ill-prepared for the dangers.
The climbers disappeared overnight as they were trying to reach the Aiguille d'Argentiere, which tops out around 3,900 meters (12,800 feet). Mont Blanc, in addition to its primary peak, contains some 200 summits.
The bodies of five climbers were located on Wednesday, while a sixth has not been found, said Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of Saint-Gervais, a town at the foot of Mont Blanc.
Search and rescue teams in helicopters are flying over the area.
Mont Blanc touches France, Switzerland and Italy, and thousands come each year to reach its summit.
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