2 killed in avalanche, 1 killed in fire in France

Two skiers died after being caught in an avalanche at Saint-Veran, a ski resort in the French Alps in southeast France, reported Xinhua, quoting local media on Sunday.

The avalanche struck Saturday afternoon in Saint-Veran, located in the Hautes-Alpes department, killing two off-piste skiers, French daily Le Parisien reported, citing rescue services.

Saint-Veran is known as the highest-altitude village in the French Alps.

Meanwhile, one person was killed and more than 80 others were evacuated after a fire broke out on Sunday at a homeless shelter in the southern French city of Montpellier.

French media outlet Metropolitain reported that the fire occurred on Sunday morning at a shelter for the homeless in Montpellier, leaving one person dead.

Local rescue workers, including about 50 firefighters, evacuated more than 80 homeless people, including seven who had been trapped inside the building, the report said.

Police will open an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, it added.