ROME (PNA/Xinhua) – At least 24 people died in an avalanche that crushed a ski resort in Italy’s central Abruzzo region last week, Italian authorities confirmed on Wednesday.
The official death toll was updated by the Civil Protection Department.
“Among 24 victims recovered so far, there are 13 men and 11 women,” civil protection official Titti Postiglione said.
Overall, some 40 guests and employees were believed to be inside the facility when the huge snow-slide occurred, engulfing the hotel under meters of snow and mud, according to the local authorities.
Eleven people survived, including nine located alive under the ruins of the hotel. Four children were involved in the incident, and all of them were rescued.
At least five people remain missing.