From correspondents in Latium, Italy, 04:31 PM IST

Two mountaineers froze to death after apparently getting lost during a storm in Italy's northern Alps region, officials said Saturday.

Bodies of the two - a Dutch and an Englishman - were found at an altitude of some 4,000 metres and were brought back to the valley, officials in the northern Alpine town of Aosta said.

Italy's northern Alps region was struck Friday by thunder and hail storms.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)