Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

France

French homes threatened by glacier

Trapped water posing a serious threat to Alpine residences.

THOUSANDS OF GALLONS of trapped glacier water on Mont Blanc are in danger of bursting and flooding a French Alpine valley, officials have said.

Some 65,000 cubit metres of water have been discovered inside the glacier by researchers working at the National Centre for Scientific Research. There’s enough water there to fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to Reuters.

The researchers says it could burst at any time, and would destroy everything in its path. Nearly 900 homes are threatened.

A similar event occurred in July 1892, killing around 200 people.

A pumping operation to alleviate the problem is planned to run from the middle of next month until October, and locals have been warned about the danger.