Avalanche hits Italian hotel, more than 30 die

Farindola Mayor Ilario Lacchetta estimated that more than 30 people were unaccounted for. 

The National Civil Protection Agency said the Rigopiano hotel had suffered a direct hit by a two-meter high wall of snow.

Heavy snow and disruption caused by multiple earthquakes have hindered rescue efforts in the rubble of the Rigopiano hotel, in the Abruzzo region.

Because of the heavy snowfall and the impacts of the avalanche, ambulances were not able to get closer than 9 kilometers from the hotel, though rescue workers were able to arrive on foot, by snowmobile and with helicopters.

The Rigopiano hotel, near the village of Farindola, is only about 150 kilometers from Rome, making it a popular destination for travelers from the Italian capital seeking a short break./.