Up to 20 people feared dead following an avalanche in Italy

An avalanche in Italy has killed up to 20 people in an area north-east of Rome.

The avalanche was as a result of four earthquakes on Wednesday in the area. A hotel near the Gran Sasso mountain, in the Abruzzo region, was hit by the avalanche and it's believed approximately 30 people were inside when it was struck. It took rescuers a long time to access the hotel as the roads leading to it were blocked with snow. The only way to get to it was on skis overnight. According to The Express, when it first occurred, provincial President Antonio Di Marco said, "There seem to be victims, but it all needs to be confirmed. There were 20 guests in the hotel." It's now believed that there was seven staff working at the hotel at the time and potentially more guests. So far, two people have been rescued and brought to safety.