ITALIAN AVALANCHE UPDATE: Search Ends, 29 Confirmed Dead, 11 Rescued
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Vice News photo.
Updated Thursday, January 26. 10:00 AM — According to CNN, rescuers have stopped searching for survivors in the wreckage of Hotel Rigoplano. Twenty-nine people have been confirmed dead and 11 people survived.
The tragedy occurred when the Italian hotel was buried by snow last week after a series of earthquakes and heavy snowfall caused a large avalanche to release above it. Of the 11 rescued, nine were pulled from air pockets days after the avalanche, and four were children.
More than 11,000 people helped in rescue efforts across the region.
Updated Friday, January 20th. 1:30 PM.
The New York Times reported that at least 10 survivors have been found at the site of the catastrophic avalanche that buried a central Italy hotel Wednesday morning. Another 20 hotel guests are still missing, however officials said that finding the first survivors has lifted the spirits of the search-and-rescue team, who are navigating an admittedly risky and complicated rescue operation.
Wednesday, January 18th.
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An avalanche buried a resort hotel this morning in central Italy after a series of earthquakes hit the region. The Hotel Rigopiano, located in the southern tip of Gran Sasso National Park, was packed with visitors to a local ski resort, many of which were trapped inside the building after the avalanche struck. Three people have died, and over 30 are reported as missing.
Rescue efforts began immediately but were confounded by the deep snow and earthquake damage in the Abruzzo region, the same area battered by deadly earthquakes last summer. According to survivor’s reports, the massive amounts of snow moved the building off its foundations and buried it under rocks and trees.
As of this morning, rescuers have reached the site with helicopters and on skis, but have not been able to transport heavy snow-moving equipment due to road damage.
Our thoughts go out to all the victims and their families and to the rescuers that have risked their lives to help out the situation.
