Marmolada glacier collapse kills 11. 'Phase 2' now begins on the Queen of the Dolomites
- All 11 victims have been identified
- Phase Two now begins, marked by drone searches for the next 10 days and the collection of findings every 3 days
- For safety reasons the mountain has been closed
- The Mountain Rescue Service asks for silence and respect for the victims and their families.
Published below are the press release of the Mountain Rescue Service.
Update at 12:29 on 11/07/2022
The scientific analysis of the Special Investigation Department of the Carabinieri made it possible last Saturday to "close the circle" by identifying all the 11 victims involved in the Marmolada serac collapse. An extremely sad chapter for the Italian mountains has therefore come to an end. On behald of the Mountain Rescue squad we - once again - wish to embrace the families, friends and communities affected by these losses and thank all those who helped in rescue operations.
"Phase Two" will now begin on the Marmolada, marked by drone searches for the next ten days and the subsequent collection of findings every three days. This will be followed by "Phase Three", when partial reopening of the mountain will be evaluated.
Update at 08:20 ;on 09/07/2022
There are injured, victims, people still missing. Above all there are children, parents, relatives, friends. Hurt by comments on social media, by wild claims made by so-called experts, by offhand judgments, sweeping criticism, macabre details, shared for no reason or utility whatsoever. Instead, let us all try to learn from this great pain and suffering of the mountain. In silence.
Update at 20:56 on 04/07/2022
The provisional toll of the tragedy that affected the Marmolada glacier yesterday afternoon has risen to 7 (3 of which have been identified). Eight injured were transferred to the hospitals of Trento, Bolzano, Belluno, Feltre and Treviso, of which 2 in serious condition. Currently 13 people are missing, whose failure to return has been reported by family members (one less than previously communicated, as a man of Austrian nationality was tracked down in the last hours). Ten missing are Italian and 3 are Czech. The authorities are still ascertaining the ownership of 4 of the 16 cars parked near the paths leading to the glacier: all have foreign license plates (1 German, 2 Czech and 1 Hungarian).
Update at 10:20 on 04/07/2022
There are six confirmed victims of the avalanche. Eighteen people were evacuated from the top of Punta Rocca and Punta Penia and all those who were lower down were returned. To report friends and family who have not returned from possible excursions during the day on the Marmolada glacier, call +39 0461 495272. Please share this information and do not use this number for general information.
A helicopter flies over the area of the Marmolada serac fall
Published on 03/07/2022
Unfortunately, the death toll and the number of injured climbers is still provisional, following the collapse of a serac from the summit cap of the Marmolada glacier, below Punta Rocca. The avalanche of snow, rock and ice fell onto the normal route, overwhelming some several teams of alpinists.
At the moment 8 injured have been recovered - 2 have been transported to hospital at Belluno, one more serious to Treviso, 5 to Trento - and unfortunately 5 people have been killed. The definitive number of mountaineers involved is not yet known.
Due to the risk of new serac falls, the Trento helicopter is carrying out the surveillance flights with its Daisy Bell, therefore reducing the danger for the rescuers as much as possible. On site are the helicopters of Suem (Servizio Urgenza Emergenza Medica) from Pieve di Cadore, of Dolomiti Emergency Cortina and Trento, of the Veneto Civil Protection Squad, of the Air service center and of the Belluno and Trentino Alpine Rescue stations.
Michela Canova, Press Officer for the Veneto Mountain and Speleological Rescue Service