The BBC has reported today that eight people including two children have been found alive in Italy’s Rigopiano Hotel, two days after it was buried in a deep avalanche.

The four-star hotel was buried after several earthquakes, four stronger than magnitude 5, struck the region on Wednesday, which was already challenged by heavy snowfall, having wiped out the phone lines.

Situated in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, just beneath the mountain slope, the remoteness of this luxury spa hotel was one of the main selling points for tourists, described on TripAdvisor as a "fantastic spa hidden in the mountains of Abruzzo."

The spa, which occupied the lower level of the complex, featured an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, spa and wellness area, relaxation area, sauna and hot tub.