Rome, Rabi'II 26, 1438, Jan 24, 2017, SPA -- A rescue helicopter is thought to have crashed in central Italy on Tuesday, with a spokesman for the Civil Protection Department confirming to dpa an "incident" had taken place. The flight was not connected to rescue efforts involving a nearby hotel where at least 15 people were killed by an avalanche on Friday, the spokesman said. The helicopter disappeared between the city of L'Aquila and the skiing region Campo Felice, according to ANSA news agency. It was unclear how many passengers were on board the helicopter. --SPA 16:26 LOCAL TIME 13:26 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w318736