it s thursday 19 january. i m annita mcveigh. welcome to bbc newsroom live. several people have been killed and many are missing after a hotel was hit by an avalanche in central italy. up to 30 guests and staff we re italy. up to 30 guests and staff were in the rigopiano hotel in the abruzzo region at the time. a major rescue operation is underway. frankie mccamley reports. buried in snow, barely visible, this is the hotel hit by last night s avalanche. inside the extent of the damage is becoming clear. what looks like a reception leading to corridors now unrecognisable, full of snow and debris. up to 20 people we re of snow and debris. up to 20 people were staying in the hotel rigopiano hotel along with seven members of staff, but bad weather meant a difficult overnight rescue operation. translation: the hotel was reached at 4:30am by courageous men who faced up variable situations. they saved two people, they are working to bring the means of transport that are difficult to