Four missing climbers remain stranded on Mont Blanc for another night.
Today, September 9, rescuers could not attempt to reach them by helicopter or on the ground because of bad weather and poor visibility, according to Aostasera.it.
The Italian climbers, now identified as Sara Stefanelli and Andrea Galimberti, are at about 4,600m. They have not been heard from since Saturday. Their mobile phone battery might have run out.
Two other climbers from Korea have also been missing since Saturday. Their location is not known.
Earlier this evening, the temperature at Col Major (4,750m) was -12.8˚C. The rescuers hope that the missing mountaineers have dug a snow hole for shelter. Helicopters remain ready to take off the moment the weather clears.
The route to Mont Blanc via the Goȗter Route. Photo: Outdooractive.com
A new fatality on Mont Blanc
Meanwhile, a 35-year-old Romanian mountaineer fell about 200m in the Couloir du Goȗter (also called Death Corridor). The exact reason for his fall is unknown. We also do not know whether the man was climbing alone or what equipment he was carrying, according to Alpin.de. Rescue authorities in Chamonix attributed the accident to a “technical error.”
Other climbers on their way up witnessed the fall and alerted emergency services. It is the fifth fatal accident within the last few weeks.
Accident in the Alps
Early this afternoon, a group of foreign climbers fell on the 4,061m Felik Col, between two summits of the Monte Rosa group in the Italian Alps. One person is dead, four are injured, and four are unharmed. Initial reports suggest the climbers were descending and had reached a point where they had to climb a short stretch of rock, according to Aostasera.it.
