Marmolada Glacier Collapse Caused by Climate Change Kills Climbers
Image: TPhotography, Adobe Stock
On July 3 2022, a large slab of the Marmolada Glacier located in the Italian Dolomites collapsed. Reports vary, but as of this writing at least 10 climbers or hikers are known to be killed, with at least one person still missing and at least eight other people are known to have been injured. At least two local alpine guides are being counted amongst the dead.
update: on July 9, 2022 Italian authorities placed the official death toll at 11 people.
Leaders, experts and journalists are linking the event to unusually warm temperatures at the glacier, which have reached 10 degrees celsius (50 degrees fahrenheit) this month. According to the BBC, “Italy's Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, said the incident was ‘without doubt’ linked to climate change.”
As an article published by The Guardian pointed out, these events are “likely to increase as planet heats.”
Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.
