Search for third avalanche victim resumed in French Alps despite weather concerns; Victims identifed
Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the French authorities are resuming the search for a missing Dutch snowboarder, who was buried by an avalanche with two friends on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Timo (22), Marcel (21) and Mark (25), all from Nijmegen, AD reports.
The bodies of Timo and Marcel were found on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mark is still missing.
Rescue workers are dealing with unfavorable weather conditions on Friday, but are determined to continue the search, NU.nl reports. It's cloudy, windy and the temperatures are increasing. These conditions combined increase the risk of further avalanches.
A group of 40 rescuers and sniffer dogs are searching for Mark. They expect to find him today. Almost the entire area has been searched.
All three victims were members of Nijmegen Christian student organization Navigators. The organization arranged the skiing trip for the group. Thirteen other members returned to the Netherlands on Thursday.
The three were also part of the Christian football team Mooie Mannen Unitet. Timo studied business at Radboud University and Marcel was a student at Hoogeschool Arnhem Nijmegen, studying economics and management.
Jacco van Oostende, former goalkeeper of the football team, heard the news on a WhatsApp group for former members. "It hit me hard", he said to the Telegraaf. "You really can't even imagine it." He remembers Timo as a quiet guy who stood his ground. The 22-year-old got engaged in December and was looking forward to say "I do" with the love of his life, according to Van Oostende.
Pastor Evert Everts of Reformed congregation group 3GK remembers Marcel as a "committed person" and "active boy". Like his parents, he was an active member of the church.
