Italian avalanche kills at least six, 10 missing after shrapnel breaks off and plummets on mountaineers

At least six people have died and ten more are still missing in an avalanche in the Italian Alps.

At least eight other people were reportedly injured after record temperatures in northern Italy caused a glacier to collapse and sent chunks of ice towards a popular hiking area.

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The incident has prompted the evacuation of Mount Marmolada in the Italian Alps as officials warn there is a risk of more collapses.

Five helicopters and additional dog units were sent to the area to search for survivors, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

An eyewitness told the newspaper: “We heard a very loud noise, then we saw the snow and ice avalanche.”

Local authorities have confirmed rescue operations are underway after the “ice avalanche” fell on tourists, adding that there is likely to be a “heavy toll”.

The avalanche occurred on the Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomite region of the Italian Alps.

The glacier collapsed on a route normally taken by hikers to reach the top of the mountain, Alpine Rescue said.

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