Italy 'to punish reckless skiers'

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Italy's government is to consider new laws to jail skiers and snowboarders who trigger deadly avalanches.

The proposals came after eight people died on Italian slopes last weekend.

The law - which could be in place by the end of this ski season - would also include a 5,000-euro fine for skiers who ignore warnings and ski off-piste.

The number of deaths on European slopes has risen in recent years, partly because of the increased popularity of off-piste skiing.

Italian Tourism Minister Michela Vittoria Brambilla recommended prison terms for the most serious offenders, without suggesting specific lengths of service.

"There have been far too many incidents on the slopes," he said.

Critics say the proposals are an over-reaction that risked killing off mountain sports, saying that laws were already in place to punish irresponsible skiers.

Late last year, four rescue workers died during a search for two hikers in the Trentino region of northern Italy.

The head of Italy's civil protection service, Guido Bertolaso, said at the time that rescuers were dying because people were ignoring warnings about conditions.

His agency proposed the new laws, which would come as an amendment to legislation currently being discussed by parliament.