Italy PM admits delays as toll up to 24
Print Edition
PREMIER Paolo Gentiloni acknowledged delays and “malfunctioning” in Italy’s response to the avalanche that buried a mountain hotel, as the death toll climbed to 24 and rescue workers all but ruled out finding any of the five people still missing.
In a briefing to parliament, Gentiloni stressed the unprecedented perfect storm that unfolded last week as more than 2 meters of snow fell within 72 hours on the isolated Hotel Rigopiano, followed by four powerful earthquakes that shook all of central Italy. The ensuing landslide and avalanche dumped upwards of 60,000 tons of snow, rocks and uprooted trees on top of the resort, burying 40 people inside. Nine were pulled out alive, including all four children. Two people escaped and called for help, but the Pescara prefect’s office brushed off the alarm thinking it was a joke.
The rescue operation only got underway an hour or two later, and it took some eight hours for the first crews to reach the site, on foot, because the roads were impassable.
Gentiloni told lawmakers a criminal investigation under way would ascertain responsibilities. “There were delays, or malfunctionings in specific points of this system,” he said. “Investigations will clarify this point. The government certainly doesn’t fear the truth.”
But he stressed that the search for the truth “serves to do better, not to poison the well.” He said it was wrong to find scapegoats now, especially since the emergency is still unfolding.
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