Mont Blanc claims five more lives

RESCUERS searching for six climbers who were reported missing on Mont Blanc have found five bodies.

The sixth member of the group is still missing, presumed dead.

The group, which included an experienced guide, was reported missing at about around 4pm yesterday after failing to return to a shelter.

Europe1 radio said efforts to rescue the climbers were hampered by bad weather.

Five of the climbers were trainee outdoor instructors with France's UCPA organisation, which runs outdoor sports holidays for young people, it has been reported.

They had set out to climb the 3,902m Aiguille d'Argentiere in the Mont Blanc massif.

This is the latest in a series of deaths on the mountain during the summer climbing season.

Six climbers died between July 15 and 30, and two more were found dead on August 2.

Officials are becoming increasingly concerned that Europe’s highest mountain is turning into a tourist “free-for-all” and have warned that the mountain is dangerous for even experienced climbers.

A US climber sparked outrage earlier this month after he tried to climb the mountain with his nine-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter.

Photo: Franco Pecchio