2 Korean & 2 Italian Climbers Found Dead After Bad-Weather SOS On Way To Mont Blanc Peak

Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, measures just over 15,770 feet, and the climbers were found at an altitude of over 15,400 ft on Tuesday. Bad weather delayed rescue efforts.

Even as late as Tuesday morning, a search helicopter had turned back from Mont Blanc as it could not find a way through clouds.

Source : X/@ollyalkema

Four mountaineers who had sought rescue assistance on Saturday amid deteriorating weather on their way to summitting Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, have been found dead. The climbers included two Italians and two South Koreans. Mont Blanc measures just over 15,770 feet, and the climbers were found close to the peak at an altitude of over 15,400 ft. The Mont Blanc is part of a range that stretches across France, Italy and Switzerland. Its peak falls in France.

According to the Associated Press, the Chamonix-Mont Blanc search and rescue team found the two pairs of climbers on Tuesday. AFP reported that a helicopter was able to land in the area around 1.30 pm (local time), after which the bodies were recovered. Their cause of death is said to be hypothermia, authorities said. 

On Saturday afternoon, the unaccompanied climbers had alerted the authorities, but worsening weather conditions hindered rescue attempts, both from the ground as well as by helicopter. However, two other Korean climbers were rescued successfully on Sunday morning from an altitude of over 13,400 feet after a highly complex operation.

"The bodies have been brought down" from the mountain and "the families informed", the Chamonix team said, as per AFP. The report said that a group of Italian mountain rescuers had reached the summit on foot after setting off in the morning, but they did not spot the bodies. 

Even as late as Tuesday morning, a search helicopter had turned back from Mont Blanc as it could not find a way through the clouds.

A commander of the rescue team reportedly said that they briefly reached the Italian climbers by phone and determined their location, but lost connection shortly after. An investigation has been opened regarding the incident. 

Mont Blanc is Western Europe's highest peak and is very popular with climbers from all over the world.