Bodies of tragic Irish climbers to be flown home within days

Colm Ennis (37) from Waterford and Peter Britton (55) from Tipperary died when they fell 200 metres on the Dent du Geant or Giant's Tooth section of Mont Blanc in France last Sunday.

Both men died instantly in an horrific fall witnessed by other climbers on the mountain.

It is believed the men fell after one of their ropes dislodged during their ascent.

Both bodies were recovered by mountain rescue officials within a matter of hours and transported to a local hospital.

Mountain rescue officials stressed that there was no way anyone could have survived such a fall.

Family members have now travelled to France and are liaising with the local authorities and Department of Foreign Affairs about repatriating both bodies back to Ireland.

Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain, is nicknamed the 'White Killer' because so many climbers die on its slopes each year.

On average over 100 climbers die on Mont Blanc each year due to its notoriously unpredictable weather, challenging cliff faces and crevices.

Special guards of honour will be provided by Irish mountain climbing clubs at both funerals.