One dead and ten missing after a severe storm on Ischia

At least one person has been killed in a landslide triggered by heavy rain on the Italian holiday island of Ischia. About ten people are still missing, according to local authorities. The northern coastal town of Casamicciola is particularly affected by the severe storm. People lived there in houses that were damaged by a mudslide.

Salvini speaks of eight dead

The authorities also denied the number of eight fatalities circulated by Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini. Even the Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi did not want to confirm this.

According to the fire brigade, they have been on duty since the early morning due to flooding and landslides. Emergency services rescued two people from a car that was torn into the sea. From the mainland, the authorities in Naples sent further reinforcements and specialists to the popular Mediterranean holiday island.

Difficult access to the holiday island

However, according to the fire department, boats and helicopters had difficulty reaching the island. Television images and a video from the fire department showed completely wrecked cars, roads covered in mud, debris that had been carried away and a slope where a landslide appeared to have previously occurred.

Many families were locked in their homes. 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)