Five dead after severe storm on Ischia

Five people died in the landslide triggered by heavy rain on the Italian holiday island of Ischia. The fire department confirmed this on Twitter. This added two more victims. The fire service has not yet released any further information about the dead. The rescue workers had previously recovered the bodies of two women and a girl from the mud masses since Saturday. Nine people are still officially missing.

The Italian government declared a state of emergency for Ischia. After a special session, a first tranche of aid amounting to two million euros was released, said Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci.

Casamicciola and Lacco Ameno particularly affected

Storm and heavy rain caused some major damage, especially in the north of the popular holiday island in the towns of Casamicciola and Lacco Ameno. Cars were swept away by the floods, landslides went down slopes and damaged homes. Hundreds of rescue workers, some of whom were sent to Ischia from the mainland, were deployed at the scene of the accident, rescued people from their homes and searched for victims and survivors.

The authorities instructed people in several municipalities on the island to stay at home. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked the rescue workers for their work, as announced by their official seat in Rome. She is in contact with the local authorities. Ischia’s Mayor Enzo Ferrandino had already closed schools, parks and cemeteries on Friday because of the announced storm.

sti/qu (afp, dpa, kna)