Six people have been found alive two days after an avalanche buried dozens of people at a hotel in central Italy.
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Rescuers initially feared up to 30 people had died when the hotel Rigopiano, in the region of Abruzzo, was covered in snow and debris after a series of earthquakes on Wednesday.
The survivors were found on Friday morning and have yet to be pulled out, a fire department official said.
"They are alive and we are talking to them," Luca Cari told Reuters from the scene.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported five helicopters are heading to the village of Farindola, the closest town to the hotel, from the nearby city of Pescara.
The helicopters are bringing blankets and extra rescue supplies.
Since rescuers arrived at the hotel in the early hours of Thursday morning, they have been racing against time to find those trapped inside.
On Friday, the search was complicated by a slight rise in temperature, which made it difficult to dig in the snow, officials told La Repubblica.
Public broadcaster RAI reported the six were found in an attic.
It is not known if those who were found alive are guests or staff at the hotel.
Two people survived the initial avalanche as they were standing outside when it struck.
So far, three bodies have been pulled from the rubble, La Repubblica said.
More to come
with Reuters