Huge Serac Fall on Mont Blanc du Tacul
Several groups of climbers were rescued but all were unharmed
Saturday at 14:30, the PGHM (High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon) Chamonix had to intervene as several tons of ice fell on the route across Mont Blanc du Tacul, a common path that leads to the summit of Mont Blanc.
Some climbers were on their way up, others on their way back down, but luckily all were found unharmed near to where the serac fall took place. They were airlifted to the Col du Midi as a safety measure.
Afterwards a reconnaissance flight by the PGHM was able to confirm that no mountaineers were caught in the serac fall. In recent days, other ice blocks of ice had already fallen close to the area. The hot summer has caused difficult conditions in the mountains and despite a recent drop in temperature and fresh snow above 2500 metres, the area is still considered dangerous. This image from the La Chamoniarde facebook pages tells the whole story.
For advice on current conditions in the high mountains you should visit the Office de Haute Montage which is situated in Place de l'Église in the centre of Chamonix.
