A BRITISH hiker has died after plunging 160ft from France's tallest mountain Mont Blanc.

       The man in his 50s was taking a difficult track near the Bionnassay glacier, at a spot known as Nid d'Aigle (Eagle's Nest) on Sunday, police in the Chamonix region said.

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       The Brit died while hiking in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Credit: Getty

       He fell around 160 feet and was killed instantly, emergency responders said.

       Meanwhile, another hiker died after plunging from Mont-Cenis in the Savoie.

       The 67-year-old Italian national was hiking with his wife on the Col du Lou when he fell.

       His distraught wife alerted the emergency services who rushed to help.

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       The man was confirmed dead at the scene.

       The Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest mountain, stands at almost 16,000 feet and attracts 20,000 hikers and skiers every year.

       Its popularity poses a growing security and environmental challenge, local officials have warned.

       In April six people were swept to their deaths after a devastating avalanche in the Armancette glacier near Mont Blanc.

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       Two mountain guides were among the dead after the tragedy on Easter Sunday close to the town of Contamines-Montjoie.

       While earlier this year, a British woman died after being buried in an avalanche as she was hiking with two other people on the Argentiere Glacier.

       Warmer temperatures in recent years have melted permafrost, raising the risk of rock falls on the most popular routes.

       Last year authorities closed down two popular mountain shelters used by Mont Blanc climbers because of potentially deadly drought-related rockfalls.