March 26, 1999
Web posted at: 6:28 p.m. EST (2328 GMT)

In this story: Driver whose truck started the fire survives Firefighters battle toxic fumes, searing heat One victim saved 10 on his motorcycle RELATED STORIES, SITES

CHAMONIX, France (CNN) -- Firefighters searched Friday among the charred wreckage of cars and trucks for more victims in a tunnel inferno that killed at least 35 people under France's highest peak.

The fire in the Mont Blanc tunnel, which broke out Wednesday on a Belgian truck carrying flour and margarine, was put out late Friday.

The tunnel, which extends 12 kilometers (seven miles), is a major connection route between France and Italy used yearly by more than 750,000 trucks.

French authorities estimate 40 may have died, while Italians put the toll at 35.

Driver whose truck started the fire survives

Among the survivors, the driver of the truck, Gilbert Degraves, said oncoming vehicles flashed their lights to warn him his truck was on fire, about six kilometers (four miles) into the tunnel.

Smoke billowed from the truck. He stopped, checked underneath, and "it exploded," Degraves told the Belgian media. "I ran for my life. Behind me all hell broke loose. In a few minutes the tunnel was like an oven," he said.

Many of the victims were found in or around their vehicles, burned beyond recognition. Only a few had been able to reach the 17 heat-resistant bunkers lining the tunnel.

It was the first fatal fire in the tunnel, the longest in the world when it opened in 1965.

The tunnel operator, Mont Blanc Tunnel and Highway, said about 20 tractor-trailer trucks and 11 cars were destroyed in the blaze.

Rescuers said some victims probably burned to ashes as temperatures in the tunnel reached about 1,000 degrees C (1,800 degrees F).

Firefighters battle toxic fumes, searing heat

About 100 firefighters from France, Italy and Switzerland battled toxic fumes and searing temperatures for two days. On Friday they managed to penetrate the length of the tunnel.

They sprayed the scorched walls to cool them down to 50 degrees C (122 degrees F). Smoke rose from their protective gear as they emerged from forays into the tunnel.

Winds blowing through the passage sent toxic fumes from Italy to France, forcing rescuers to focus on the Italian side. The stench of burning rubber and acrid fumes hung in the mountain air.

The fire raised immediate questions about the emergency systems in the tunnel, which is equipped with ventilation equipment in the 17 bunkers, each of which can hold dozens of people. However, they are designed to withstand excessive heat for only about two hours.

The mayor of Chamonix called for a ban on heavy trucks in the tunnel which, unlike newer ones, has no parallel passageway for rescuers.

One victim saved 10 on his motorcycle

Among the deceased were Pierlucio Tinazzi, a 33-year-old Italian tunnel employee. He saved 10 people, Italian officials told reporters, making repeated trips on his motorcycle before succumbing to the fire.

Other victims included an Italian family of four, five other Italians, a French firefighter and a French family of five, according to police.

French Transport Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot said the tunnel would remain closed for several weeks.

Correspondent Peter Humi, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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