Eight people have been found alive under the avalanche-hit Italian hotel

Eight people have been found alive under the avalanche that hit an Italian mountain hotel almost two days ago and rescuers are working to free them from the snow, fire brigade spokesman Luca Cari said on Friday.

Two of the survivors are children, according to Italian media. Though the survivors have been located, not all have been extracted yet.

"They are alive and we are talking to them," Cari told Reuters by telephone, speaking from the scene.

Up to 30 people were reported missing after the avalanche destroyed the hotel in central Italy on Wednesday afternoon. So far two bodies have been found and Italian media said two other bodies had been located.

The survivors have spent over 40 hours under snow and rubble.