Only a brief interruption in rescue operations occurred on the day following the detachment and removal of a part of a glacier from the Marmolada mountain in the Eastern Alps in northeastern Italy. The rescuers persevered despite the risk and were able to find more survivors. This happened early in the afternoon when four people were discovered alive and they were immediately taken to hospital. Another body was also discovered. Another body was also found.
The 16 cars that were parked at the spot where the Marmolada route begins is likely to have contributed to the increase in missing persons. The deaths of several victims have been identified. They include three Italians and one Czechoslovakian. However, the identities of others who were killed in the avalanche are still unknown. One of the eight people who were injured is a German couple. Local media reports that there are also citizens of Czech, Czech, and Italian nationality among those still missing.
Mario Draghi, the Italian Prime Minister, visited Canazei in the province Trento this afternoon. He saw the location of the rescue room and met with local authorities. It is mourning the loss of its citizens today. After thanking Draghi for his “generosity”, professionalism, and courage, Draghi said that the Government should reflect on the events and take decisions to prevent them from happening again. Rescue operations are carried out “in great danger”.
Sergio Mattarella, the head of state, called Maurizio Fugatti the president of Trentino to express his concern and offer his condolences. Pope Francis also posted a message via social media confirming that he was praying to the families of those who were affected by the Marmolada avalanche and to pray for them. The Pontiff stated that the tragedies we are witnessing with climate change should cause us to urgently search for new paths that respect people and nature.
Many experts believe that the current events are another consequence of global warming. UN scientists have warned for years that the climate emergency is causing the disappearance of glaciers in the Alps, especially those at 3,000m. Two years ago, Legambiente and the Italian Glaciological Committee compiled a report that showed that the Marmolada glacier’s volume had decreased by 85% between 1905 – 2010. It was then feared that it would disappear completely in between 15 – 30 years. .
The town of Canazei was the location where rescue operations were coordinated. Several relatives of the missing arrived to identify the bodies. It is difficult because the impact caused them to be dismembered. The avalanche. It is believed that an avalanche consisting of snow, ice and stones rushed down the mountain at 300 km/h, causing at least four hikers to be overwhelmed.
The rescue operations are carried out by firefighters, Civil Protection, Alpine Relief, and Civil Protection personnel. They use drones and helicopters to locate heat sources and signals from mobile phones. Giorgio Gajer, president of Alpine Relief Alto Adige, stated that there is little hope of finding survivors. He told Agi that the avalanche would have destroyed them and it was difficult to believe that they could be found alive.
The recent high temperatures and lack of snow protection caused the avalanche. Last Saturday’s record temperature of 10 degrees Celsius reached the Marmolada peak. This would have allowed for the disintegration of large blocks of ice and led to an avalanche. Weather is crucial for rescue operations development. High temperatures will continue to cause new glacier ruptures, which could pose a danger for rescuers.
Trento Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation to determine if the disaster was caused only by natural causes or whether it could have been caused human negligence. For now, Prosecutor Sandro Rimondi warned that the final number will rise. Given the 16 cars parked, I fear the number of victims will rise at least twice or three times. Raimondi stated that the first step is to identify the victims. This will not be an easy task and will require DNA tests.
The heartbreaking testimony surrounding the Marmolada tragedy is heartbreaking. They paint a grim picture of despair and death that is hard to believe. “We found some shattered corpses among the pile of debris and ice that stretched for over a thousand metres,” Gino Comelli, a specialist on high-mountain rescue teams, told Corriere della Sera. He was also one of the first professionals to reach the avalanche site. Another lifeguard confirmed that it was almost impossible for anyone to be left alive.
The newspaper collected testimony from Stefano Dal Moro. He was an engineer who went to the glacier to show an Israeli friend. “A dull thud was heard and then a sea of ice erupted. The young man congratulated himself for having survived the avalanche and said that there was no need to run. Mauro Mabboni from Trento’s alpine rescue team, a veteran in alpine avalanches and a seasoned expert, said that he had never seen a landslide such as this. He also suggested that DNA tests might be necessary to identify the bodies. It is hard to believe that people got into the vortex, and what happened to them is horrific. He explained that it was not snow, but sharp ice or rock.
Marina and her husband were able to escape the disaster in a matter of minutes. The block fell at incredible speed as they were just about to descend from the Marmolada terrace. They can only recall a “rotten snow” that was etched in their memories.
