ROME, July 3 (Reuters) – Parts of a mountain glacier collapsed in the Italian Alps on Sunday amid record temperatures, local authorities said, killing at least six people and injuring eight.
The Trento province government said rescue operations were underway after a major “ice avalanche” involving hikers, adding that there is likely to be a “strong toll”.
The avalanche took place in the Marmolada, which at more than 3,300 meters is the highest mountain in the Dolomites, a mountain range in the eastern Italian Alps straddling the regions of Trento and Veneto.
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The injured were taken to hospitals in nearby towns of Belluno, Treviso, Trento and Bolzano, Veneto President Luca Zaia said.
A photo of material from the alpine rescue services shows where an ice glacier collapsed on the mountain of Marmolada, Italy, on July 3, 2022. Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico / Handout via REUTERS
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The huge mass of ice collapsed near Punta Rocca, on the route commonly used by hikers and climbers to reach the summit, the alpine rescue unit said.
“Fortunately the weather conditions are good, but the danger is that more collapses could occur,” a spokesman said.
Helicopters and dogs were used to try to find survivors.
An early summer heat wave in Italy saw temperatures in the Marmolada hit 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) on Saturday, Zaia said.
Rising average temperatures have caused the Marmolada glacier, like many others around the world, to shrink steadily over the past few decades.
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Report by Gavin Jones; Edited by Catherine Evans
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