In a tragic week for Italy’s mountainous regions, rescue teams announced on Monday the deaths of at least a dozen skiers, climbers, and hikers. These fatalities mark one of the most severe incidents in recent memory.
According to reports, 11 of the 12 victims succumbed to avalanches on unpredictable backcountry slopes, with The Associated Press noting the total number of deaths may reach 13 due to these treacherous conditions.
The accidents coincided with the opening of the Winter Olympics in the area last Friday. Officials assured the public that Olympic venues in Lombardy near the Swiss border, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto, and Val di Fiemme in Trentino are secure, professionally maintained, and under constant surveillance.
Italy’s mountain rescue experts attributed the deadly events to fragile layers of new snow. These layers are so unstable that even a single person passing could set off an avalanche.
Rescue team members from Vigili del Fuoco are seen digging through thick snow during a mountain search and rescue mission. (Vigili del Fuoco)
The National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps highlighted the primary danger as “persistent weak layers within the snowpack that are often hidden by fresh snow or wind, leading to unpredictable detachments triggered by just one skier or climber.” They added that “these hazardous spots are numerous and challenging to spot, even for seasoned experts.”
The country’s Alpine Rescue Corps spokesperson, 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 proportionally,” the AP reported.
Two Vigili del Fuoco crew members stand inside a helicopter next to an open door during a snowy mountain operation. (Vigili del Fuoco)
Italy’s national fire and rescue service, Vigili del Fuoco, reported that, over the weekend, two people died and one was seriously injured in Alpe Meriggio in Valtellina 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 Apennine range and an ice climber in Valle d’Aosta.
Vigili del Fuoco crew members conduct a helicopter rescue over a mountain area. (Vigili del Fuoco)
Outside such regions, Catania said people skiing in managed areas should not face any significant risks, the AP reported.
“There is no danger for people skiing within managed ski resorts, and, in particular, no risks to the Olympic sites,” Catania said. “All of these areas are constantly monitored and are generally safe regardless of Olympic events.”
Prior to the start of the Winter Olympics, Vigili del Fuoco said that crews would maintain safety measures for all visitors to the sites.
“For the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Italian National Fire Brigade has implemented an enhanced rescue structure to ensure the safety of athletes, delegations, spectators, and citizens, while also ensuring the continuity of the regular service,” the organization said.
