2 skiers killed, 5 injured in avalanche in northern Italy
A spokesman said the service’s operations centre received an alert around noon that a dozen skiers were trapped in an avalanche.
“Six helicopters were dispatched,” and nearby hospitals were informed, he said.
The avalanche occurred at about 7,874 feet on the slopes of the 8,757-foot-high Hohe Forse near the town of Ratchings, near the border with Austria, the Associated Press reports.
Italian Alpine The National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps Trentino via AP
Dozens of rescue workers, as well as firefighters and law enforcement personnel, participate in the search and rescue effort.
A total of 25 skiers were on the hill where the avalanche occurred, but most escaped after being hit by snow, rocks and ice slides.
A few days ago, a Polish man was killed in an avalanche in the same area.
An avalanche warning issued for the area on Saturday rated the danger between low and moderate.
This winter, avalanches have struck Europe. Last month, a series of avalanches in western Austria killed at least five people, including an American. Eight skiers died in three avalanches across Austria in January, authorities said. Avalanches at various alpine resorts in France left six skiers dead.
