A glacier in the Italian Alps partially collapsed on Sunday, amid rising temperatures this summer, writes Reuters. The president of Trentino province announced a provisional toll of six dead and 14 wounded.
Update 22:13 At least six people have died as a result of the collapse of the Marmolada glacier in the Dolomites of northern Italy, according to dpa, the president of Trentino province, Maurizio Fugati, taken by Agerpres.
At least 14 people were injured in the avalanche, he said.
Five helicopters and several rescue dog teams were deployed to search for people trapped under snow, ice and rocks.
The seriously injured man was airlifted to a hospital in Treviso, and 18 others were airlifted to the valley awaiting rescue.
As helicopters continued their search, ground rescue teams were called back to the base on Sunday night for fear of other pieces of the glacier collapsing.
Although officials have not commented on the possible cause of the crash, record temperatures in recent weeks may have played a role.
Update 21:15 The Italian mountain rescue service has announced that five people have died and eight have been injured in the avalanche so far.
But mountain saviors mention one Register on Facebook The total number of people in the area at the time of the collapse is unknown.
Initial message
“Rescue operations are underway after a massive avalanche, involving mountaineers,” said a statement from the Trento provincial government, which said there could be a “large number” of injured and dead.
The avalanche occurred on the 3,300m Marmolada Massif in the eastern Dolomites of the Italian Alps between the Trento and Veneto regions.
Veneto president Luca Zaya said the injured were taken to nearby hospitals in Belluno, Treviso, Trento and Bolzano.
The number of victims has not yet been confirmed, Reuters notes.
On Saturday, temperatures in the Marmolada massif reached 10 degrees Celsius, on the back of a heat wave facing Italy, Luca Zaia added.
Author: B.P
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