Deadly avalanche buries Italian hotel

More than 20 guests and ten staff are missing at the Hotel Rigopiano di Farindola in the village of Farindola, which was buried by an avalanche on Wednesday.

A full-scale operation is underway. Firefighters, mountain rescue teams, police and ambulances are at the scene. At least one person is reported to have been killed.

Rescuers say they fear “many people” have died. Mayor of Pescara Antonio Di Marco described the avalanche as a “terrible tragedy” and said the hotel is buried in snow.  "There seem to be victims, but it all needs to be confirmed. There were 20 guests in the hotel," he posted on his Facebook page.

Italian news agency ANSA said at least three people are believed to be missing with other local media saying as many as 30 guests and staff are unaccounted for. 

The hotel lies at the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain in the central region of Abruzzo.

It is thought the avalanche was triggered by an earthquake. The region was hit by a series of strong tremors on Wednesday.