This Day in History: 10 February 2020
10 February 1970
50 years ago, today, an avalanche crashed down onto a sky resort in Val d'Isere, France, and 42 people, mostly young skiers, were unfortunately killed, with 60 more suffering serious injuries. This disaster was the worst of its kind in French history. The resort in Val d'Isere was run be a non-profit youth organisation and would attract many young skiers. However, in the morning on this day, most of the guests were having breakfast in a room facing the mountain, when there was an explosion-like sound, and 100,000 cubic yards of snow rushed down the mountain. Three trial workers, who were on the hill, were swept away and died.
The people inside the hotel had almost no time to react, as the snow burst through the hotel's windows and engulfed the skiers. Some were thrown down hallways, some through windows, and some were immobilised under the snow. Outside, the snow pushed cars off the roads and blocked access to the hotel. The French President, Georges Pompidou, declared the disaster a national tragedy, and authorities were ordered to evacuate other resorts in the region. This proved to be vital, as other avalanches did follow in the next days. The abandoned hotel at Val d'Isere was also struck again two days later.
Want to find out more about the tragic avalanche at Val d'Isere? Click here for more information, or for a video, click here.
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