GENEVA

The bodies of two Italian climbers, missing for five days, were discovered on the Gran Sasso massif, Italian media reported Friday.

Since last Friday, a large-scale search operation had been underway, involving teams from the Alpine Rescue, the Guardia di Finanza, and air support from the Abruzzo Region's air ambulance service. Alpine Rescue technicians and a Fire Brigade helicopter were also deployed to aid the search, according to the ANSA news agency.

The climbers were reported to have slipped into a ravine during their expedition, causing them to lose visual contact with one another. Despite this, they were able to maintain verbal communication briefly, and one managed to place an emergency call. However, rescue teams were unable to reach them in time.

Recovery operations for the bodies are currently in progress.

The Gran Sasso massif, part of the Apennine mountain range in central Italy, is a popular destination for mountaineering but poses significant challenges due to its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather.

Further details about the climbers’ identities or the specifics of their expedition are yet to be released by the authorities.