A main road has been closed and huts have been evacuated after warnings that a huge glacier on the side of Mont Blanc could collapse, according to Italian media reports.

The possible crumbling of the 250,000 cubic metre block could isolate 20 people living in a valley in the northwest Italian town of Courmayeur, according to La Repubblica.

The huge chunk of ice is in danger of falling from the Planpincieux glacier on the Grand Jorasses mountain in the Mont Blanc range.

The regional government in the northwest Italian region of Valle d'Aosta and the Fondazone Montagna Sicura (Secure Mountain Foundation) raised the alarm after witnessing the glacier's movement accelerate from 50cm to 60cm a day, Ansa reported.

Climate change in world's most northern town

Authorities in the town of Courmayeur, which sits at the foot of the Mont Blanc range, are said to have closed the Val Ferret municipality road due to the possible collapse.


Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that the situation should "shake us all".

Image: Roads near Courmayeur have been closed off in case part of the glacier collapses

He told delegates: "Just now we have heard the news of a glacier on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain - the most majestic in the Alps - which risks collapsing.

"This is an alarm before which we cannot be indifferent in the illusion that it doesn't regard me, you, that it is something far away in time or in space.

"Instead it should shake all of us and mobilise us."

Avalanche hazards in a warming Arctic

Stefano Miserocchi, the mayor of Courmayeur, told Ansa the potential collapse "does not concern built-up areas or even tourists facilities", but mountain huts in the Rochefort area of the town have been evacuated.

He added: "These phenomena once again show how the mountain is going through a period of major change due to climate factors and, therefore, it is particularly vulnerable."

It is not possible to predict when the collapse might take place, Italian daily news site Il Post reported.

Mr Miserocchi was said to have already closed some underlying paths at the beginning of September.

Experts have said glaciers, an important source of fresh water, are retreating because of the climate crisis.

The Planpincieux is said to be particularly sensitive to rising temperatures due to to its altitude, and is therefore closely monitored by the authorities.