Seven people died and 14 missing after glaciers collapsed in the Italian Alps in record temperatures

Eight injured were taken to a nearby hospital and 18 were rescued unharmed

Author:

Bloomberg News

Sonia Achilletti and Chiara Albanese

(Bloomberg) — At least 7 people Northern Italy After the glacial ice shelves collapsed in higher than normal temperatures in the Alps, they were killed and 14 people went missing.

At least 26 people were involved in the avalanche at 1:30 pm on Sunday. Local time, when a glacial mass broke on Marmorada, the highest peak of the Dolomite Mountains.

The government reported that eight injured were taken to a nearby hospital and 18 were rescued unharmed.

A disaster occurred the day after a record high temperature of 10 ° C (50 ° Fahrenheit) was recorded at the top of the glacier. The collapse is considered one of the consequences of global warming, as the Italian region has experienced the worst drought in 70 years.

"The collapse of the Marmorada Glacier is a natural disaster directly related to climate change," said Paul Christophersen, a professor of glacial studies at Cambridge University. "High altitude glaciers like Marmorada are often steep and rely on low temperatures below 0 ° C for stability, but climate change means more and more snowmelt.

Burning temperatures have swept parts of Europe and have recorded heat in June in many parts of Italy. In the last few weeks, some cities have exceeded 40 ° C.

Prime Minister Mario Dragi visited the avalanche area on Monday to confirm rescue operations.

This is the tragedy that "it certainly depends on the deterioration of the environment and the climatic conditions." The center has been set. He said the government must reflect and take steps to ensure that similar events are "very unlikely or even avoidable."

The Prime Minister will chair the Cabinet Meeting at 6 pm. On Monday local time, the government declares an emergency in the area most affected by the droughts of the last few weeks.

(died in heading and first paragraph, updated with Draghi's comment in eighth paragraph.)

1. 

   Dyatlov Pass Incident has been a mystery since 1959. Did the avalanche wipe out hikers?

2. 

   Three Kebesas were swept away in an avalanche and two Otawa women were still missing May be dead

Register and Postmedia Network Inc. By clicking the

sign-up button, you agree to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300