The climbers, a 45-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman from Barcelona, were stuck on the peak for three days but refused help twice before they were finally rescued on Monday.

They were rescued by helicopter at an altitude of 2,750 metres and airlifted to safety.

They had previously refused two helicopter attempts to rescue them, convinced they had almost reached the top of the peak and determined to continue climbing.

Italian law says that those who place themselves at risk voluntarily must pay for the rescue operations.