23 missing after avalanche Italy

farindola - After the avalanche accident Wednesday are still 23 people missing in the ruined hotel Rigopiano in central Italy. The prefecture of the province of Pescara, according to the Italian news agency Ansa informed.

At least five people died by the forces of nature to life. Nine people were pulled alive under the rubble and snow from. Two other people survived the accident because they were outside the building when the snow mass struck the hotel in Farindola.

The authorities pointed out that the number of missing persons is based on the guest list of the hotel and other data. The figure must be constantly verified.

Rescuers working under increasing time pressure relentlessly to search for survivors and to rescue them from their plight. According to a doctor in Pescara had the fortunate survivors that they are not directly come into contact with the snow.

The avalanche hotel was completely overwhelmed and swept away part. Debris and furniture were found up to 400 meters away. Or the avalanche was caused by the earthquakes that hit the area earlier Wednesday, is unclear.

Many guests had packed their bags to leave, but because of the heavy snowfall in the preceding days, the entrance of the hotel impassable. The emergency could only reach with difficulty the site of the avalanche accident.

Elsewhere in central Italy, the need remains high. Thousands of households are already days without electricity and some places have been cut off from the outside world. The area was hit by major earthquakes in August and October last year.