The avalance in the French Alps happened at around 11.30 this morning near Mont Blanc. Rescue teams were sent to the area on the Glacier d'Armancette and nine people were pulled to safety.

One member of the group was said to be in a critical condition, with the others suffering minor injuries.

Here in Slovenia, seven people were caught up in an avalance near the peak of Mala Mojstrovka at around 9.30 a.m. Some of them were taken to hospital by helicopter. Three of the mountaineers suffered serious injuries.

The rescue operation took a number of hours in inclement weather, according to officials at a press conference this afternoon.