Over 6 000 isolated as avalanche closes tunnel entrance in Aosta Valley, Italy

More than 6 000 people were isolated on March 3, 2024, following a large avalanche in the Aosta Valley, which struck a tunnel in the municipality of Gaby, province of Aosta, Italy.

The incident occurred on regional road 44 in the Lys Valley, leaving two municipalities upstream completely cut off from the rest of the region.

The isolation affects over 6 000 individuals in two side valleys of the Aosta Valley according to ANSA. Fortunately, there were no damage or injures caused by the avalanche due to prior road closures.

Gressoney-La-Trinité Mayor Alessandro Girod reported 120 cm (approximately 47.2 inches) of snow at 1 700 m (approximately 5 577 feet) above sea level.

An avalanche obstructed a tunnel near the town of Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Aosta Valley, Italy 🇮🇹
| 3 March 2024 |#avalanche #Italy pic.twitter.com/bfjKN5hXnt

— DISASTER TRACKER (@DisasterTrackHQ) March 3, 2024

The local population, including hundreds of tourists, have found safe accommodation and are currently self-sufficient with access to electricity, food, and diesel.

The mayor of Cogne, Franco Allera, said there are 400 – 500 tourists in addition to 1 400 residents, with all decisions regarding the reopening of roads postponed until further assessments can be made.

References:

¹ Valanghe, oltre 6.000 persone isolate in Valle d’Aosta – ANSA – March 4, 2024

Featured image credit: Disaster News