Avalanche in Tignes Val Claret

The Val Claret webcam shows the area at the bottom of the lifts and the halfpipe, above which the avalanche happened.

12:06: The resort has confirmed that there have been no casualties. A huge relief.

11:45: Around 100-150 skiers have descended the mountain according to Raphael LEGENDRE‏ who is live tweeting from nearby (see below, commentary in French). It's been snowing heavily all morning in Tignes.

11:31: Unconfirmed reports say that in the region of 30 people could be trapped in the avalanche. All lifts have been closed in the Tignes ski area.

A number of people have been caught in the slide (although it's currently unclear exactly how many) and rescuers as well as volunteers including our snow reporter, have rushed to the scene to help.

The call first came into the rescue station at 10:20 this morning.

Low visibility is hampering the rescue helicopters getting to the site at the moment.

The avalanche risk has been elevated to 4/5 today after heavy snow fall in the last 24 hours.

Watch this on the scene footage from someone filming as the avalanche struck.