In just one month—between June 21 and July 23—83 people lost their lives in the Italian mountains, while five people are still missing, according to the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS). Recent data shared by CNSAS reveals a shocking trend of nearly three deaths per day for the first month of the summer holidays. In addition, rescue operations have risen by 20% compared to previous years.
The surge in fatalities and rescues is being linked to an unprecedented number of people heading into the mountains, many of whom are ill-equipped for the terrain. “Too many are treating serious alpine trails with the same casual mindset they’d bring to a stroll in a city park,” Maurizio Dellantonio, head of CNSAS said in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. He goes on to describe a rise in hikers with minimal technical preparation and a “dangerous superficiality” when it comes to safety. “I don’t remember a summer like this, with so many deaths in the mountains. We are beyond all limits,” Dellantonio adds.
Adding to the precarious situation has been the effects of climate change. Record temperatures have melted permafrost, which led to destabilization of some terrains, resulting in rock and land-slides. “Just think of what happened three years ago on the Marmolada,” Dellantonio reminisces about the collapse of a glacier that ended up killing 11 people in total.
According to the head of CNSAS, the majority of the victims—or around 60%—are inexperienced hikers. Many wore inappropriate footwear or underestimated the risks of their chosen routes. Others collapsed due to dehydration, poor physical fitness, or inadequate planning. The other 40% of fatalities involved experienced mountaineers and mountain bikers, many of whom had pushed beyond their limits and taken on too much risk.
To deter ill-prepared adventurers and offset rescue costs, some Italian regions now charge for certain mountain interventions. Rates range from €750 in Trentino to €1,000 in Veneto for rescues involving uninjured individuals. However, Dellantonio bemoans that many refuse to pay, “Half of those we save refuse to pay, even when, in fact, we saved their lives.”
Dellantonio specifically blames social media for the death of hikers, as it is attracting more and more young and inexperienced people to the mountains. Last week, a teenage boy perished when he set out alone in the Aosta Valley. He texted his parents shortly before falling into a ravine, stating he was lost. “You never set out alone in the mountains,” Dellantonio stresses. He believes that many young climbers now attempt difficult ascents simply because they saw others post about it online, often without the necessary preparation or understanding of the risks. Previously, people would have sought advice and consulted weather forecasts before setting out, but now a rush to reach popular spots ahead of the crowds has led to risky behavior with people climbing in the dark or in poor conditions to avoid crowds.
CNSAS is calling for greater public awareness, better preparation, and a more responsible approach to mountain excursions as the summer season continues.
My Granson Alexander and his friend Simon just died hiking the Italian Alps in Adine, May 15. They thought they were advanced hikers but still at an age challenging themselves. Their loss, immeasurable.
Dear Jennifer,
That is so tragic. We are so very sorry to hear. What a terrible loss of two young men.