Seven climbers have been killed, and another person seriously injured in an avalanche in the French Alps.

The climbers were scaling the 13k foot Dome de Neige des Ecrins in the Pelvoux region of the country yesterday. Reports suggest that the fatal avalanche struck at around midday local time.

The avalanche caught three groups of climbers, who were ascending that is thought to be a relatively easy route to the summit of the mountain. Christian Flagella, a police commander in the area, told the BBC that the conditions were currently “winter-like” in the area.

Rescuers are still searching the area to determine if there are any more victims of this tragic avalanche. The identities of those killed is yet to be announced.