Rescuers in Italy said Monday that at least a dozen skiers, climbers and hikers have died over the past week in a record-breaking tragedy in the country’s mountainous terrain.
While authorities said 11 of the 12 victims died in avalanches triggered by exceptionally unstable conditions on unprepared backcountry slopes, The Associated Press said reported a total of 13 deaths.
The incidents occurred just as the Winter Olympics began in the region last Friday. Authorities stressed that the gaming sites – located in Lombardy on the Swiss border, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto and Val di Fiemme in Trentino – are safe, well maintained and closely monitored.
The Italian mountain rescue organization revealed that the fatal disasters were caused by weak layers of fresh snow, which were so unstable that the passage of one person could trigger an avalanche.
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Vigili del Fuoco crew members dig through heavy snow as they conduct a search and rescue operation in the mountains. (Vigili del Fuoco)
The main problem is caused by “persistent weak layers in the snowy mantle, 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,” according to the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps. “The danger points are numerous and difficult to identify, even for an expert.”
Alpine Rescue Corps spokesman 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 proportionately,” the AP reported.
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Two Vigili del Fuoco crew members stand in a helicopter next to an open door during an operation in the snowy mountains. (Vigili del Fuoco)
Italy’s national fire and rescue service, Vigili del Fuoco, said two people were killed and one seriously injured this weekend in Valtellina’s Alpe Meriggio 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 Apennines and an ice climber in Aosta Valley.
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Vigili del Fuoco crew members perform a helicopter rescue over a mountain area. (Vigili del Fuoco)
Outside such regions, Catania said people skiing in managed areas should not face significant risks, the AP reported.
“There is no risk to people skiing in managed ski areas, and in particular no risk to the Olympic venues,” Catania said. “All of these areas are continuously monitored and are generally safe regardless of Olympic events.”
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Ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics, Vigili del Fuoco said crews would enforce safety measures for all visitors to the venues.
“For the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Italian National Fire Service has implemented an enhanced rescue structure to ensure the safety of athletes, delegations, spectators and citizens, while ensuring the continuity of regular services,” the organization said.
