There was one death and 10 missing after heavy rain caused a landslide on Ischia, an Italian holiday island.
A search and rescue operation is underway in Casamicciola Terme, and reinforcements are being sent from Naples, but weather conditions are complicating the search, Italy’s Civil Protection department told reporters.
Civil protection officials reported that eight people had been rescued by Saturday evening local time.
Authorities told reporters the operations were coordinated by the Naples prefecture and were expected to continue through the night. An Italian Fire Brigade tweet indicates that 70 firefighters are helping with the search and rescue effort on the island.
Early Saturday, torrential rain soaked Ischia, in the Gulf of Naples, causing damage to roads, buildings, and cars.
Earlier today, local and national authorities shared videos and images showing the destruction in Casamicciola Terme.
“It is a time of pain and great emergency,” Campania Governor Vincenzo De Luca said on Saturday, thanking Italian Prime Minister Meloni for her close contact and solidarity message.
According to Meloni, she has been in contact with local authorities, expressing solidarity with residents and thanking rescue workers.
In a statement to ANSA news agency, Mayor Enzo Ferrandino called the incident a tragedy and urged people not to leave their homes.
A landslide near Genoa in February 2021 collapsed a cemetery, causing hundreds of coffins to fall into the sea.