Search continues for a dozen hikers in Italian glacier avalanche, but rain hampering efforts
PBS NewsHourDec 27, 2022
The Facts
At least six people are dead and 15 are missing after a glacier collapsed in the Dolomite mountain range of the Italian Alps.
The glacier broke loose on Sun. afternoon releasing a torrent of ice, snow, and rocks onto hikers on a popular trail. The glacier is the largest in the Marmolada range and while it's a popular ski destination, it has experienced rapid melting in recent years.
The Spin
Narrative A
This glacier collapse is directly linked to climate change. This will, unfortunately, become a regular event in the years to come across similar mountain ranges. These high peaks with steep slopes require snow and ice to remain stable and with global temps increasing these hiker hotspots are vulnerable to tragedies like this.
Narrative B
It's easy to dismiss any extreme weather event as a consequence of climate change, but in reality, they're usually influenced by a myriad of factors that have nothing to do with it. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.