Five soldiers have been killed after an avalanche in the French Alps.
The soldiers – whose nationalities are currently unknown – were reportedly training when the tragedy occurred.
A number of other soldiers in the group, which contained a mix of veterans and new soldiers, are thought to have been injured in the avalanche.
Maj. Pujol from the local rescue services confirmed the deaths to BFM television on Monday afternnon.
He said the soldiers killed were among a group of several dozen training off-piste in Valfrejus in the Savoie region.
Jean-Claude Raffin, mayor of Modane, said the soldiers were out for an all-day backcountry skiing session when the avalanche hit.
He said six people were injured, three of them seriously.
The group of about 50 men were skiing at an altitude of around 2,000 meters (6,500 feet).
Julien Noel, director of the ski area, said the location where the avalanche hit is well-known for backcountry skiing and normally is not known as particularly dangerous. He said the slopes were closed after the avalanche Monday, for safety reasons.
The deadly avalanche comes just days after a school group in the Alps was swept away, killing three people, including two students.
Additional reporting by agencies.
