Italian Court Acquits Most Over 29 Avalanche Deaths in Hotel

Rescuers work at the avalanche-hit Rigopiano hotel on Jan. 21, 2017. (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico/The National Alpine Cliff and Cave Rescue Corps (CNSAS) via AP)

ROME—An Italian court on Thursday acquitted most of the defendants on trial over the deaths of 29 guests and staff when an avalanche buried an Apennine mountain hotel six years ago, Italian media, including state TV at the courthouse, reported.

Tons of snow raced down a forested slope and smashed into Hotel Rigopiano in the town of Farindola in Italy’s central Abruzzo region on Jan. 18, 2017.