A huge glacier in Italy is on the brink of collapse and mountain huts are being evacuated.
The Planpincieux Glacier is on the slopes of Grandes Jorasses Mountain, near the Italian town of Courmayeur.
A statement from the office of the town's Mayor this week said pedestrian access to some areas of the glacier was no longer prohibited, while vehicle access is now restricted.
The statement said anyone who chooses to transit near the glacier is doing it at their own "risk and peril".
Mayor Stefano Miserocchi said there was a "significant increase" in the sliding speed of the glacier in the last period.
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"Based on the scenarios presented for reasons of safety and public safety, we had to adopt these measures because the scenario of a possible fall in the portion of the glacier concerns the man-made valley floor."
Miserocchi said public safety was a priority. He said the mountain was in a phase of "strong change, due to climatic factors".
There's worry that the mountain is "particularly vulnerable", he said.
"From the last surveys, an increase in speed of the entire lower portion of the glacier appeared evident that at the end of August and September recorded an average peak speed between 50 and 60cm per day."
Last year, researchers said it's possible most of the European Alps' glaciers could melt by 2100, due to global warming.
Newshub.
