The death toll from the Hotel
Rigopiano disaster climbed to 14 on Tuesday when firefighters
recovered the bodies of five more victims.
As a result the number of people missing after an avalanche
hit the Abruzzo mountain hotel last Wednesday has dropped to 15.
Eleven survived the disaster, including nine who were pulled
out of the ruins by search teams.
The first funerals, for two of the victims, are taking place
on Tuesday.
In Farindola, just a few kilometres from the hotel, a funeral
was held for hotel headwaiter Alessandro Giancaterino, 42.
Farindola's San Nicola Vescovo church was crowded with
mourners, among whom were Giancaterino's wife, his nine-year-old
son, his brother, Pescara prefect Francesco Provolo, Farindola
Mayor Ilario Lacchetta, and Deputy Interior Minister Filippo
Bubbico.
Also in attendance was hotel concierge Fabio Salzetta, who
survived the avalanche but lost his sister, who also worked at
the hotel, in the disaster.
In nearby Penne a funeral will be held on Tuesday for hotel
waiter Gabriele D'Angelo, 31.
There were 40 people in the hotel when the avalanche hit: 28
guests, including four children, and 12 employees.
All four children were rescued.
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