As of: 07/03/2022 7:51 p.m
At least six people were killed and several others injured when a glacier broke off on Mount Marmolada in the Dolomites. The search for other victims was interrupted for safety reasons in the evening.
In a massive glacier break on Marmolada mountain in the Dolomites, several mountaineers were hit by masses of ice, snow and rock. At least six people died, the rescue control center of the Veneto region said. Nothing was initially known about the nationality of the victims.
According to initial findings, two rope teams were hit. 15 hikers were apparently swept away by the avalanche. Mountain rescue spokesman Walter Milan said it was unclear how many individuals were on site. There were several rope teams on the ascent to the 3343 meter high mountain. When the avalanche went off, there were several rope teams on the ascent route.
“That it has something to do with global warming”, Rüdiger Kronthaler, ARD Rome, on the possible cause of the glacial collapse
tagesschau24 7:00 p.m., July 3, 2022
Search suspended for security reasons
At least eight people were injured after the accident in northern Italy and flown to hospitals, said the rescue control center of the Veneto region. The rescuers flew a seriously injured person to a hospital in Treviso. Two other injured came to the Belluno hospital, five to Trento.
Because of the danger of new glacier falls, the search for other victims of the accident was temporarily interrupted in the evening. As the emergency services announced, the mountain rescuers were withdrawn from the flank of Mount Marmolada. First of all, it must be clarified how safe the situation is for the helpers. The helicopters continued to operate. The entire glacier was closed.
Heat increases snow cover
Only on Saturday was the highest temperature ever measured on the summit of the Marmolada at ten degrees Celsius. According to experts, the snowpack is far too thin for the time of year due to the persistent heat. In the Veneto region, temperatures have been well above 30 degrees for days. The Marmolada (Italian Marmolada) is the highest mountain in the Dolomites at 3343 meters above sea level.