Eight found alive in avalanche-hit hotel

Eight people have been found alive under the avalanche that hit an Italian mountain hotel almost two days ago and rescuers are working to free them from the snow on Friday.

"Finding these people gives us further hope there are other survivors," said Titti Postiglione, a Civil Protection official.

Up to 30 people were reported missing after the avalanche destroyed the Hotel Rigopiano on Wednesday afternoon. So far two bodies have been found and Italian media said two other bodies had been located.