Death Toll in Italy Avalanche Rises to 24
As rescue operations continue in Farindola, Italy, after a deadly avalanche hit the region on January 18th, authorities have confirmed that the death toll has now risen to 24.
The Hotel Rigopiano was completely destroyed after it was hit by the avalanche. Most of the people staying at the hotel at the time were killed by the avalanche. Authorities also confirmed that there are still five people unaccounted for, but that they are presumed dead.
Eleven people survived the avalanche, and miraculously, all four children that were staying at the hotel at the time survived.
The last survivors were pulled from the snow on Saturday, after they were located by rescue workers on Friday. Authorities did not confirm the extent of their injuries, but said that they were all suffering from hypothermia.
The avalanche came after a bout of heavy snow fell in Italy – the heaviest snowfall seen in the area in decades – and a series of earthquakes that rocked the area the very same day.
According to reports, authorities are looking into whether or not the disaster could have been prevented by having better risk-assessment procedures in place. However, Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, has said that people must shy away from blaming someone or some institution for the disaster.
He instead applauded the work of the various rescue teams that have been pulling bodies and survivors from the area for the past week. Two of the rescue workers who were canvassing the area from a helicopter, tragically lost their lives when their helicopter crashed.
“Every possible effort was made to reach the hotel…We are proud of the emergency services who were confronted with absolutely exceptional snowfalls and two of whom gave their lives,” Gentiloni said.
