Italy recalls Rigopiano avalanche

(ANSA) - Rome, January 18 - Deputy premiers Luigi Di Maio and Matteo Salvini on Friday took part on in commemoration marking the second anniversary of the Rigopiano avalanche disaster in Abruzzo that claimed 29 lives. Di Maio and Salvini spoke to relatives at the victims at the ceremony, held at area of the disaster. The avalanche hit the resort as 40 people, including guests and staff, were inside, while the region was grappling with extreme weather conditions and the hotel was engulfed by snow.
    Some of the 29 victims were instantly crushed to death while others who remained trapped died of hypothermia and asphyxiation. Eleven people survived.
    Rescuers reached the site several hours after the incident and had to travel on foot because roads had been blocked by heavy snow.