Three more bodies were found in the ruins of the Rigopiano mountain hotel in Italy engulfed by an avalanche seven days ago.

At least 21 people were killed as a result of the natural disaste, RIA Novosti reported quoting RaiNews24.

As it was noted, eight guests and staff members remain missing.

The hotel, in the remote village of Farindola, was crushed under a 6ft wall of snow on 18 January as four earthquakes hit the central Italian region of Abruzzo. According to preliminary data, about 40 people, including several children, were in the hotel.

At least 11 people were found alive under the rubble of Rigopiano hotel in the Abruzzo region, Italy.