Italian mountain guides have suspended climbs of Mont Blanc via the main route on the Italian side because heatwaves are destabilising the glacier leading to Europe's highest peak, an official told AFP on Wednesday.
Around 20,000 people try the ascent each year, mostly from the French side as the Italian route is regarded as more challenging, with most climbing attempts during the summer.
"With the heat we had in June, conditions deteriorated quickly. It's no longer safe enough to take clients up there," said Alex Campedelli, president of the Courmayeur Guides Society.
"The glacier is full of crevasses and it's hard to find the right route. We decided last week we won't sell that ascent to clients anymore."
Climbers are still able to tackle the peak from the French side, where the route was last closed in 2022 because of falling rocks.
