‘’ we had no more reason that usual to be alarmed ,’’ Verdier told Reuters TV. ‘’It’s a steep mountain face. There are big plates of snow we know of where an avalanche can easily occur. But this morning we had no reason to expect an avalanche of this size and such a tragedy.’’
A preliminary investigation suggested a climber may have stepped on a icy patch and set off the side.
One of the climbers who managed to escape alerted authorities.
Rescue workers in helicopters and on foot, as well as dog teams, were searching on Tuesday afternoon for the missing.
Eight Swiss, German and Austrian climbers perished in an avalanche nearby in 2008.
France’s interior minister was expected in the area later on Thursday.