Fatal avalanches in the Italian Alps have left several people dead and others injured in separate incidents across northern Italy, according to mountain rescue services and local media.
The accidents come amid warnings of increased avalanche risk following heavy snowfall and strong winds in recent days.
Two Killed Near Courmayeur, One Critically Injured
Italy’s national mountain rescue service said two skiers were killed on Sunday in an avalanche near the town of Courmayeur, at the foot of Monte Bianco in northwestern Italy.
One of the victims was killed at the scene, while the second died in the emergency department. A third skier was transported to a hospital in Turin and remains in critical condition.
The avalanche struck a section of the steep “Fesse” gully west of Courmayeur, in the Val Ferret area.
Rescue officials said the victims were “likely” French nationals. Search and rescue operations involved:
Fifteen rescue personnel
Trained avalanche search dogs
Two helicopters
Additional Avalanches in Piedmont and the Dolomites
In a separate incident, the Alpine rescue organization Soccorso Alpino reported that an avalanche in the Maira Valley in the Piedmont region, near the French border, killed one person and injured two others, one of them critically.
Strong winds prevented helicopters from reaching the site, forcing rescue teams to proceed on foot from lower elevations.
Another avalanche occurred near Pragelato, a ski destination about 60 kilometers west of Turin. A woman trapped under the snow managed to free herself but was unable to move due to her injuries. Rescue teams were working to evacuate her as poor weather conditions again prevented helicopter use.
Authorities also said they were monitoring reports of a third avalanche in Piedmont, though details were not immediately available.
In the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, an avalanche on the Fago Gabbini slope in the Little Dolomites killed a 50 year old mountaineer, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. Rescue teams reached the area by helicopter but were unable to save him.
Authorities Warn of Elevated Avalanche Risk
Italian authorities said a combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds has significantly increased avalanche danger across several Alpine areas.
Officials urged skiers and hikers to follow safety advisories and consult official bulletins before heading into mountainous terrain.
Conclusion:
The recent fatal avalanches in the Italian Alps highlight the dangers posed by unstable snow conditions. Rescue teams continue to operate under challenging weather circumstances, while authorities maintain warnings about the risk of further snow slides.
