At least a dozen people have died in avalanches across Italy’s mountainous regions, coinciding with the start of the Winter Olympics, prompting concerns over backcountry safety.
Rescuers in Italy reported on Monday that at least a dozen skiers, climbers, and hikers have lost their lives in a series of avalanches over the past week. This tragic event has been described as a record-setting incident in the country’s mountainous terrain.
While authorities confirmed that 11 of the 12 victims perished in avalanches triggered by exceptionally unstable conditions on ungroomed backcountry slopes, reports from The Associated Press indicate that the total number of fatalities has reached 13. These incidents occurred just as the Winter Olympics commenced in the region last Friday.
Officials emphasized that the Olympic venues—located in Lombardy near the Swiss border, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Veneto, and Val di Fiemme in Trentino—remain safe, well-maintained, and closely monitored. Italy’s specialist mountain rescue organization has indicated that the recent fatalities were due to weak layers of fresh snow, which were unstable enough that the passage of a single person could trigger an avalanche.
The National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps explained that the primary issue stems from “persistent weak layers in the snowy cloak, often covered by fresh snow or wind.” These conditions make detachments unpredictable and easily triggered, even by the movement of a single skier or alpinist. “The dangerous points are many and difficult to identify, even for an expert,” they noted.
Federico Catania, a spokesperson for the country’s Alpine Rescue Corps, added that recent snowstorms have encouraged visitors to explore the fresh slopes. Consequently, the number of accidents—and fatalities—has increased proportionally. The AP reported that over the weekend, two people died and one was seriously injured in Alpe Meriggio in Valtellina after being caught in an avalanche that buried at least one of the victims.
Additionally, three people lost their lives in avalanches in Trentino, while another fatality occurred in neighboring South Tyrol. Two more were reportedly killed in separate avalanches near the Marmolada glacier, along with two hikers in the Apennine range and an ice climber in Valle d’Aosta.
Despite these tragic events, Catania reassured the public that individuals skiing in managed areas should not face significant risks. “There is no danger for people skiing within managed ski resorts, and, in particular, no risks to the Olympic sites,” he stated. “All of these areas are constantly monitored and are generally safe regardless of Olympic events.”
Prior to the start of the Winter Olympics, Italy’s national fire and rescue service, Vigili del Fuoco, announced that they would maintain safety measures for all visitors to the Olympic sites. “For the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Italian National Fire Brigade has implemented an enhanced rescue structure to ensure the safety of athletes, delegations, spectators, and citizens, while also ensuring the continuity of the regular service,” the organization stated.
As the Winter Olympics continue, authorities remain vigilant in monitoring conditions to prevent further tragedies in the region.
According to The Associated Press, the situation underscores the importance of safety awareness in backcountry skiing and climbing, especially during periods of unstable weather conditions.