Last updated on July 1, 2024 by Laura Rossi
As part of an unprecedented rescue operation, the evacuation of tourists trapped in the Cogne due to landslides which compromised the road to the valley floor.
The rescue operation: numbers and details
According to initial estimates, around 500 tourists are estimated to be involved in the emergency situation. On the previous day, the helicopters of the Civil protection and of Financial Police they carried out 92 transport missions, evacuating a total of 499 people and bringing them to safety at the sports field of Aymavilles.
The emergency in Cogne: damage and interruptions
In the picturesque village of the valley of Great Paradise, efforts are concentrated on restoring the aqueduct and assessing the damage caused by landslides. The regional road is blocked in three critical points and it is expected that several weeks will be needed to restore traffic. The tourist season is seriously compromised due to these interruptions.
The current situation and next steps
The competent authorities are closely monitoring the evolving situation and taking timely measures to ensure the safety of residents and tourists. The commitment of rescuers and field workers is massive, with the aim of restoring normality as soon as possible. The alert remains high in the area, while we work incessantly to deal with the ongoing emergency.
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Insights
Cogne:Cogne is a municipality located in the Aosta Valley region, a popular tourist destination in winter for ski enthusiasts and in summer for nature lovers. The town is located in an Alpine valley surrounded by mountains and natural parks, including the Gran Paradiso National Park.
Civil protection:
The Civil Protection is an Italian body that deals with preventing and managing emergency situations and natural disasters on the national territory. It is composed of volunteers and professionals who intervene in the event of calamitous events to protect the population and coordinate rescue operations.
Financial Police:
The Guardia di Finanza is an Italian police force responsible for carrying out economic-financial policing and territorial control activities. The tasks of the Guardia di Finanza also include rescue operations in emergency situations such as in the case of the evacuation in Cogne.
Aymavilles:
Aymavilles is a municipality located in the Aosta Valley, in the north-western region of Italy. It has an important strategic position in the central valley of the Dora Baltea and was the place where the tourists evacuated from Cogne were brought to safety.
Great Paradise:
Gran Paradiso is a mountain in the Graian Alps, about 4,061 meters high. The territory around the massif has been the subject of a national park of the same name, established in 1922 as the first Italian national park. The area is renowned for its scenic beauty and the variety of flora and fauna present.
The rescue operation in Cogne was a major coordinated operation to ensure the safety of tourists trapped by landslides and blocked access routes. The competent authorities and rescue organizations worked to evacuate those in danger and manage the emergency in the best possible way, with the aim of restoring normality as quickly as possible.
