Difficult weather in the Alps: around 150 people are stranded

Alagna Valsesia(Italy) - Around 150 people are stranded at various mountain stations in the Italian Alps due to weather-related cable car failures.

In the Alagna Valsesia ski resort in Piedmont on the border with Switzerland, the lifts were down due to strong winds, according to the mountain rescue service.

Rescue operations are currently underway to bring people down to the valley. Due to the difficult weather conditions, rescues are proving difficult in many places, the mountain rescue service added.

The emergency services are on their way to some mountain stations with snow groomers.

As there is not enough snow in several places, the rescue teams are walking to the stranded skiers and hikers and then accompanying them back down to the valley.

The people are doing well under the circumstances. Some are already on their way to nearby valley stations with the rescue services. Temperatures of around minus four degrees were forecast in the area for the evening.

The Italian Air Force weather service had also issued a wind warning for the entire Piedmont region.