The services of the departmental fire and rescue service (SDIS64) and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques gendarmerie group were immediately mobilized on the spot and the intervention of an avalanche dog made it possible to rule out the presence of victims.
Departmental road 934 is temporarily closed in both directions. Consequently, access between France and Spain via the Col du Pourtalet is blocked. People who would like to go to Spain are invited to go through the Somport tunnel.
Crisis meeting in Laruns
A crisis meeting took place in the town hall of Laruns on Thursday morning, bringing together the mayor, part of the municipal team, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Department and the Mountain Land Restoration Service, which depends on the National Forestry Office. . According to Alain Bruzy, of RTM, it is to be expected that the road will remain closed “for several weeks, at least”. The mayor of Laruns, Robert Casadebaig, prefers a lower estimate “at two weeks maximum”, but it is the next inventories that will dictate the rest.
It will first be necessary to study all the rock hazards. Between 900 and 1,500 m³ descended on the roadway and downstream, bouncing off the avalanche barriers. Large blocks were found in particular inside one of the protection tunnels, following “lateral bouncing”.
In a second step, purges of the rock will have to be carried out, starting with the highest areas before gradually descending. “At the first burst of rain, it is likely to start again, continues Alain Bruzy. Do not imagine that the purge will be done quickly. »
The Artouste train will suffer
This is a real setback for cross-border exchanges in the Ossau Valley. Discomfited, the mayor of Laruns, Robert Casadebaig, nevertheless intends to “roll up his sleeves, with the services of the Department” to allow a secure reopening as quickly as possible.
The event took place just a few days before the resumption of activity of the Artouste little train, “which benefits from a large Spanish clientele”. So many people who will be missing for the start of the summer season.
