The remains of two Italian climbers have been discovered on the Gran Sasso massif, five days after they went missing during an outdoor expedition, according to rescue officials.

Rescue teams, with the assistance of a helicopter, reached the site in the central Abruzzo region on Friday where the climbers were last seen.

The challenging terrain, consisting of rocky areas and snow, complicated the rescue efforts, as poor weather conditions, including powerful winds and a significant risk of avalanches, persisted.

Reports indicate that the mountaineers were ascending Gran Sasso when they fell into a ravine and subsequently lost sight of each other.

In spite of the dire situation, one of the climbers managed to initiate an emergency call. Reports suggest they were roughly 20 meters apart and could hear one another despite being separated.

Rescue teams faced harsh conditions as they battled through a violent storm, forcing them to take refuge for two nights in a shelter situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters due to intense winds and heavy snowfall.