3rd July 2022
The accident happened in the Dolomites in northern Italy. The collapse triggered an avalanche of rocks, snow and ice that hit a number of hikers. Eight other people were injured, two are reported to be in a serious condition. NEW
The ice mass collapsed on the slopes of Marmolada, the highest mountain in the eastern Dolomites.
It is unclear what caused the collapse but there have been high summer temperatures that may have made the ice unstable.
The glacier has been in retreat over recent years and it was a fraction of its former size.
18 people out hiking in the area were hit by the debris.
“Unfortunately, five people were found lifeless,” emergency services spokeswoman Michela Canova told the AFP news agency.
She added that the number of injured people “remains a provisional count.”
“An avalanche of snow, ice and rock which in its path hit the access road when there were several roped parties, some of which were swept away,” said Ms Canova.
“The definitive number of mountaineers involved is not yet known,” she added.
Video posted on social media shows the avalanche:
Marmolada 3343m
Tremendo accidente acaba de pasar en Marmolada,Dolomitas.
Un enorme serac se desprendió por las altas temperaturas,cayendo sobre la ruta normal de ascenso.
6 muertos y 10 desaparecidos. Búsqueda con helicópteros y rescate en marcha ahora????Nicoletta Barbessi pic.twitter.com/p3iL2H2DA0
— k2 (@KrisAnnapurna) July 3, 2022
Five helicopters and dozens of emergency workers were involved in the search and rescue operation.
Marmolada is 3,343m high and lies between the borders of Trentino and Veneto.
We will be updating this story as we receive further information.
This article was originally published by Planetski.eu. Read the original article here.
