Three men are in custody in Chamonix, after one of their friends fell to his death from a Brevent to Planpraz bubble lift the four were using in a shocking incident.
The cause of the fall is unclear, but the men - aged 32 to 35 - had engaged in "rough play", prosecutors said.
Police said two of them had broken a side window after leaning on it.
They say the four childhood friends had shared a meal before using the cable car on Saturday afternoon. Their identities have not been disclosed.
Tests are being carried out to determine whether the men were drunk.
Police say the victim fell from a height of 25 metres (82ft) and died instantly. The Dauphine Libere is reporting that a French family from Picardie who were walking on the Petit Balcon paths under the bubble lift came across the body.
The three men in the lift are being questioned but so far no charges have been laid.
Compagnie du Mont Blanc has said that this is an unprecedented incident that no-one has witnessed before and confirmed that 'A violent force' would have to be used to break the bubble lift plexiglass window.
More details as we get them...
