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In a devastating week for Italy’s alpine regions, rescuers have confirmed the deaths of at least a dozen skiers, climbers, and hikers. The fatalities occurred amidst the country’s mountainous landscapes, marking a tragic start to the winter season.
According to authorities, 11 of the 12 individuals lost their lives in avalanches, which were sparked by perilously unstable conditions on ungroomed backcountry slopes. However, The Associated Press has reported a total of 13 fatalities linked to these incidents.
These unfortunate events coincided with the launch of the Winter Olympics in the area last Friday. Authorities have been quick to reassure the public that the Olympic venues, situated in Lombardy near the Swiss border, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto, and Val di Fiemme in Trentino, are secure, meticulously maintained, and under constant surveillance.
Italy’s dedicated mountain rescue teams have attributed the tragic accidents to fragile layers of fresh snow, which were so precarious that even a single person’s movement could set off an avalanche.
Members of the Vigili del Fuoco rescue team have been tirelessly working, digging through the dense snow in ongoing search and rescue efforts in the mountains. (Credit: Vigili del Fuoco)
The main issue is caused by “persistent weak layers in the snowy cloak, often covered by fresh snow or wind, conditions that make detachments unpredictable and easily triggered even by the passing of a single skier or alpinist,” the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps said. “The dangerous points are many and difficult to identify, even for an expert.”
The country’s Alpine Rescue Corps spokesperson, Federico Catania, added that recent snowstorms have prompted visitors to take advantage of the fresh slopes, “and as a result, the number of accidents, and therefore fatalities, has increased proportionally,” the AP reported.
Two Vigili del Fuoco crew members stand inside a helicopter next to an open door during a snowy mountain operation. (Vigili del Fuoco)
Italy’s national fire and rescue service, Vigili del Fuoco, reported that, over the weekend, two people died and one was seriously injured in Alpe Meriggio in Valtellina after being caught in an avalanche that fatally buried at least one of the victims.
The Associated Press also reported that three people died in avalanches in Trentino and one in neighboring South Tyrol.
Another two were reportedly killed in separate avalanches near the Marmolada glacier, two hikers along the Apennine range and an ice climber in Valle d’Aosta.
Vigili del Fuoco crew members conduct a helicopter rescue over a mountain area. (Vigili del Fuoco)
Outside such regions, Catania said people skiing in managed areas should not face any significant risks, the AP reported.
“There is no danger for people skiing within managed ski resorts, and, in particular, no risks to the Olympic sites,” Catania said. “All of these areas are constantly monitored and are generally safe regardless of Olympic events.”
Prior to the start of the Winter Olympics, Vigili del Fuoco said that crews would maintain safety measures for all visitors to the sites.
“For the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Italian National Fire Brigade has implemented an enhanced rescue structure to ensure the safety of athletes, delegations, spectators, and citizens, while also ensuring the continuity of the regular service,” the organization said.