DPA
ROME
One woman is dead and 10 others are missing after violent storms and flooding in the Italian Mediterranean island of Ischia. The landslide triggered by heavy rains on the Italian holiday island has dragged cars into the sea, caused houses to collapse, left dozens stranded and several missing.
The prefecture in Naples announced on Saturday that eight people previously listed as missing, including a child, had surfaced and were safe.
“It’s a tragedy,” a civil defence official said.
A violent storm hit the island with a population of just over 60,000 early on Saturday. The coastal town of Casamicciola in the north was particularly affected.
Mudslides damaged houses where some of the missing people are believed to be located.
According to the fire brigade, two people were rescued from a car that was swept into the sea. A total of 70 firefighters were deployed.
Videos from the fire brigade showed demolished cars and streets flooded with debris and earth.
Rescue workers said they were struggling to reach people on the island.
“The situation is very complicated,” Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told TV channel Rainews24.
Italian authorities sent specialists, vehicles and other reinforcements to Ischia from Naples. The military sent helicopters to assist.
Around 200 residents were to be evacuated from their homes, according to Piantedosi. Many people in the region had no electricity, and schools, cemeteries and parks remained closed.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked the rescue workers for their efforts, according to her office in Rome, adding that she was in touch with the local authorities.
