At least three people have been killed by avalanches in northern Italy while skiing in the same alpine region currently playing host to the Winter Olympic Games. Alpine rescue services recovered the body of a man from Punta Rocca, a 10,800-foot peak on Marmolada—the tallest mountain in the Dolomites. Another two skiers died in the village of Albosaggia, in the lower Valtellina valley, while a potential fourth victim has yet to be confirmed in Trentino Alto Adige. All of the confirmed deaths were caused by loose snow and ice sliding down the mountain and wiping out the skiers who were off-piste at the time. AINEVA, Italy’s snow and avalanche risks association, said there is currently a heightened danger of avalanches following heavy weather conditions that have blanketed the region. The snow and ice are thought to be piled in such a way that the movements of a single passing skier could easily set it off. The two avalanches in the Marmolada area were close to Cortina d’Ampezzo where the women’s Alpine skiing competitions are currently taking place.
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