Status: 07/06/2022 7:45 p.m
After the glacier broke off in the Dolomites, rescue workers continue to search for people who have been buried. Due to the instability of the glacier, at times only aerial searches were possible. Another fatality has now been found.
The number of officially confirmed fatalities after the glacier collapsed in the northern Italian Dolomites has risen from seven to nine. This was announced by the President of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Maurizio Fugatti, in Canazei. So far, four dead have been identified by relatives. According to Fugatti, the identity of five victims has not yet been clarified.
Masses of ice, snow and rubble killed several climbers. A total of eight people were injured, including a man and woman from Germany who were taken to an Italian hospital.
Rescue work on the ground recently not possible
The authorities initially continued to search for possible victims with drones. They also set up monitoring devices that can measure movements on the glacial mass that has come off and has now solidified. Due to their instability, the rescue work on the ground was recently not possible.
For safety reasons and while the work was being carried out, the municipality blocked access to the mountain and promised penalties if hikers did not follow the rules. The rescue workers want to continue the search. Fire brigade, police and mountain rescue should continue to search for victims with dogs on the ground.
The course of the accident is to be reconstructed
The judiciary in Trento meanwhile ruled out that the accident was foreseeable, as prosecutor Sandro Raimondi told the Ansa news agency. The investigators wanted to reconstruct the course of events, view films and hear witnesses.
Experts suspect the consequences of climate change to be behind the break-off of the piece of glacier. This year, temperatures in the area were higher than usual, which is why the ice started to melt earlier. In addition, there was no precipitation in winter and spring, from which the glacier could have fed.
The ice in the mountains of Italy has been receding for years. Because of the changing conditions, mountain experts recommend hikers to plan and research their routes thoroughly beforehand.