Update on the deadly landslide near Chamonix

A dramatic landslide cost the lives of two young adults on Wednesday on the RN205. Meanwhile, between Chamonix and Passy, ​​in Haute-Savoie. However, A rocky block detached from a wall and struck a car carrying four members of the same family. Nevertheless, 20 Minutes takes stock of this dramatic event.

What exactly happened? – Update deadly landslide near chamonix

Around 6 p.m.. For example, the car went down the white road when the rocky block fell on the back of the vehicle, killing a man and a woman aged in his twenties. Consequently, At the front, the driver and his passenger, both 54, were injured and hospitalized in Annecy and Sallanches. In addition, The victims were from Oisemont. Furthermore, in the Somme, and returned from a visit to the Merlet animal park, at the Houches.

Who were the victims? – Update deadly landslide near chamonix

The two deceased people were the couple’s son and his girlfriend, both born update deadly landslide near chamonix in 2002. The wounded are the father and the mother, whose vital prognosis is not committed, according to Ouest-France. 36 firefighters and around twenty police officers were mobilized to secure the area and take care of the injured. Traffic was interrupted on the RN205. in the Mont Blanc tunnel for heavy goods vehicles before being restored in the evening.

What are the causes of the accident?

An investigation was opened by the Bonneville prosecution and entrusted to the Chamonix research brigade to determine the exact circumstances. The region recently experienced heavy rains, but Météo-France specifies that these precipitation was not “exceptional”. Martial Saddier. president of the Haute-Savoie department interviewed by France Inter, recalls that this type of accident remains very rare, even if rocky events become more frequent with global warming.

The accident occurred in a “very fractured sector. with a little healthy rock”, where there are already many protective works, including update deadly landslide near chamonix nets, underlines Ludovic Ravanel, geomorphologist and director of research at the CNRS. Even if “the direct link is difficult to demonstrate”. the drama took place “after ten days of heat wave and on the first day of significant precipitation”, he notes.

However. “drought has the effect of drying fractures at the walls and, paradoxically, dry fractures are less than when they have a certain humidity, he explains. When behind there are significant precipitation, it produces pressures in cracks that can dislodge the blocks. »»

What consequences for traffic?

The rock remains unstable. “security operations” are underway on Thursday near Passy in Haute-Savoie, where a landslide left two dead and two injured the day before, said the prefecture. Additionally, “Surveys take place because the land remains very unstable” above this road which runs along the side of the mountain. she said. Access to Chamonix remains possible. however, with slowdowns, the EGRATZ viaduct has been update deadly landslide near chamonix opened to traffic in both directions, underlines the prefecture.

What was the reaction of the authorities?

Minister Philippe Tabarot condemned the drama in a tweet: “A terrible drama occurred at the end of the day on. the white road. Two victims are to be deplored. I send my condolences to their loved ones and all my wishes to the currently hospitalized wounded. He thanked the emergency services and called for caution in the area.