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The Mont Blanc serac collapse killed a 38-year-old Italian climber.
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His partner survived the incident.
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Authorities say the falls are unpredictable and have launched a probe.
Mont Blanc serac collapse killed a 38-year-old Italian climber and left his partner alive after a block of ice swept them off Mont Blanc du Tacul, officials said Monday.
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According to a Chamonix mountain police official who spoke to AFP, the pair were travelling on Sunday when a serac escaped and carried them off.
Rescuers airlifted the survivor; he is in good health but shaken.
Emergency teams tried to revive the Italian climber but could not; his name has not been released.
Serac and icefalls are common on Mont Blanc and are still unpredictable, even for experienced climbers, according to authorities.
They warned that ice becomes fragile during warm spells and abrupt temperature changes, so climbers should exercise additional caution.
In the meantime, investigators are reviewing conditions on Mont Blanc du Tacul to find what triggered this serac collapse.
