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Rigopiano avalanche: Six found alive in Italy hotel after two days Rigopiano avalanche: Ten found alive in Italy hotel after two days
(about 3 hours later)
At least six people have been found alive in Italy's Rigopiano hotel, two days after an avalanche. Rescuers in central Italy have found 10 survivors after an avalanche buried a mountain hotel - and six have been pulled out so far.
Rescuers said the survivors had been discovered buried under snow. Two are children, Italian media said. Video showed two people - a mother and her son - being helped out by cheering rescuers, through a hole in the snow.
Video footage of the first survivors being pulled free was released by rescue teams on Friday afternoon - more than 40 hours after the avalanche. The avalanche struck the Rigopiano hotel, in the Abruzzo region, on Wednesday after several earthquakes.
The deep avalanche buried the remote hotel, in the central Abruzzo region, after several earthquakes. At least four people died and about 20 are still missing. Deep snow blocking the access road hampered the rescue.
At least four people have been confirmed dead, and about 20 are still missing, as the rescue effort continues in difficult conditions. A woman told the BBC that three of her relatives were among those rescued on Friday.
Teams have been working at the scene for more than 24 hours in temperatures well below zero. Their father - who was already being treated at the local hospital - was taken to see them, she said.
A female relative told the BBC that her young cousins were those found alive by rescuers. "His wife is from Romania, she is 43 years old - her daughter just turned six years old, and the boy is eight," said the woman, who asked not to be identified.
Her uncle - who was already being treated at the local hospital - was taken to see them, she said.
"My aunt is from Romania, she is 43 years old - her daughter just turned six years old, and the boy is eight," the woman, who asked not to be identified, said.
"They were on holiday and just getting ready to leave when the avalanche came.""They were on holiday and just getting ready to leave when the avalanche came."
She said they had still not had news about her aunt. "We are very worried," she added. She said all but the young girl had been released from hospital after treatment.
The survivors reportedly took refuge beneath a collapsed portion of ceiling, where they were able to light a fire to keep warm.The survivors reportedly took refuge beneath a collapsed portion of ceiling, where they were able to light a fire to keep warm.
Wednesday's earthquakes included four stronger than magnitude 5, in a region already struggling with heavy snowfall which buried phone lines and took out power cables.
The BBC's James Reynolds, in the nearby town of Penne, said news of the rescue had led to an outpouring of emotion.The BBC's James Reynolds, in the nearby town of Penne, said news of the rescue had led to an outpouring of emotion.
"In one village, a young woman - who's worked at the collapsed hotel - dropped to her knees and burst into tears when she heard the news," he said."In one village, a young woman - who's worked at the collapsed hotel - dropped to her knees and burst into tears when she heard the news," he said.
Wednesday's earthquakes included four stronger than magnitude 5, in a region already struggling with heavy snowfall which buried phone lines and took out power cables. Phone lines were down at the Rigopiano hotel early on Wednesday.
Some reports suggest the guests had gathered on the ground floor of the hotel to await evacuation following the earthquakes.Some reports suggest the guests had gathered on the ground floor of the hotel to await evacuation following the earthquakes.
But the avalanche completely buried the hotel at about 17:00 on Wednesday. But the avalanche completely buried the hotel at about 17:00 (16:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
The force of the snow partially brought down the roof and, according to some reports, shifted the building 10m (11 yards) off its foundations.The force of the snow partially brought down the roof and, according to some reports, shifted the building 10m (11 yards) off its foundations.
Rescuers, who were forced to ski and shovel their way towards the site of the avalanche, were reportedly only dispatched hours later.Rescuers, who were forced to ski and shovel their way towards the site of the avalanche, were reportedly only dispatched hours later.
One survivor, who had left the hotel for his car, telephoned his boss, a man named Quintino Marcella, just after 17:30.One survivor, who had left the hotel for his car, telephoned his boss, a man named Quintino Marcella, just after 17:30.
Mr Marcella said he immediately contacted the authorities, but they did not initially believe him. He said he kept calling for two hours before being told help was on the way.Mr Marcella said he immediately contacted the authorities, but they did not initially believe him. He said he kept calling for two hours before being told help was on the way.
The first rescue team reached the hotel by 04:30 (03:30 GMT) on Thursday, after a night of freezing temperatures. The first rescue team reached the hotel by 04:30 on Thursday, after a night of freezing temperatures.
Twenty-two guests and seven staff members were registered as being at the hotel, but the actual number is unclear, and rescuers say it could be as many as 35.Twenty-two guests and seven staff members were registered as being at the hotel, but the actual number is unclear, and rescuers say it could be as many as 35.
Two people who were outside the hotel at the time of the avalanche survived.Two people who were outside the hotel at the time of the avalanche survived.
A list of 23 names given by La Stampa newspaper suggests that most are Italians but they include a Swiss national and a Romanian. A list of 23 names given by La Stampa newspaper suggests that most are Italians, but they include a Swiss national and a Romanian.
Three are children aged six, seven and nine, and the oldest person on the list is a man of 60.Three are children aged six, seven and nine, and the oldest person on the list is a man of 60.
Italy has seen a wave of damaging earthquakes in recent months. The Apennines region saw three magnitude-6 tremors between August and October.Italy has seen a wave of damaging earthquakes in recent months. The Apennines region saw three magnitude-6 tremors between August and October.
It is believed that the geological stress is spread across a number of fault lines in Italy's mountain ranges - with recent earthquakes as the result.It is believed that the geological stress is spread across a number of fault lines in Italy's mountain ranges - with recent earthquakes as the result.
Are you in the area or have you been affected by this incident? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area or have you been affected by this incident? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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