Glacier collapses in Italian Alps, killing at least six | Inquirer News

Glacier collapses in Italian Alps, killing at least six

/ 11:00 AM July 04, 2022

Glacier collapses in Italian Alps, killing at least six

A handout photo from Alpine rescue services shows where an ice glacier collapsed on Marmolada mountain, Italy, July 3, 2022. Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico/Handout via REUTERS

ROME — 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 provincial government said rescue operations were in progress after a large “ice avalanche” involving hikers, adding that there was likely to be a “heavy toll”.

Article continues after this advertisement

The avalanche took place on the Marmolada, which at more than 3,300 meters is the highest mountain in the Dolomites, a range in the eastern Italian Alps straddling the regions of Trento and Veneto.

FEATURED STORIES

Injured people were taken to hospitals in the nearby towns of Belluno, Treviso, Trento and Bolzano, said the president of Veneto, Luca Zaia.

The huge mass of ice collapsed close to Punta Rocca, on the route usually used by hikers and climbers to reach the summit, the Alpine rescue unit said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Fortunately the weather conditions are good but the danger is that there could be further collapses,” a spokesperson said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Helicopters and dogs were being used to try to find survivors.

Article continues after this advertisement

An early summer heatwave in Italy saw temperatures on the Marmolada touch 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 recent decades.

Article continues after this advertisement

RELATED STORIES

Melting glaciers, fast-disappearing gauge of climate change

Greenland ice melting past ‘tipping point’ — study

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

On thin ice: Near North Pole, a warning on climate change

Mountain glaciers hold less ice than thought, and that’s bad news

TAGS: Glacier, Italian Alps, Italy, Weather

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.