A woman reportedly drowned in an avalanche after she was swept into a lake when she and her male companion were hit by a wall of snow at a height of 7,220 feet in Italy, with rescuers still looking for their dog.
Vanessa Gatti, 30, and Roberto Biancon, 52, from Milan, both died in the Toggia Lake area in Val Formazza, Piedmont, near the Italian border with Switzerland, on Sunday, 7th January.
The couple had been hiking in snowshoes when they were hit by the avalanche, with the alarm being sounded at around 12 pm by people working at a nearby dam who witnessed the incident.
Rescuers including mountaineers and a rescue helicopter were deployed to the scene despite strong winds and the accident happening at an altitude of 2,200 metres (7,220 feet).
They located the lifeless bodies of Vanessa and Roberto a short while later thanks to a sniffer dog.
Hiker Crushed Under Avalanche
Roberto’s body was found covered in snow from the avalanche, while Vanessa’s body had been swept into the lake where she is believed to have drowned.
Both victims were reportedly passionate about the mountains.
Roberto worked as an osteopath and Vanessa was his employee, according to local media.
Rescuers are still looking for the dog.
The avalanche threat level in the area is currently orange, according to reports. With a risk of fresh snowfall causing denser snow to detach and turn into avalanches.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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