Landslide in Italy: 1 killed and 10 missing on the island of Ischia

CNN
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One person was killed and 10 others were missing on Saturday after heavy rains triggered a landslide on the Italian island of Ischia.

The Italian Fire Service told CNN on Saturday that search and rescue operations are underway in the small town of Casamicciola Terme and reinforcements are being sent from Naples, but weather conditions are complicating the search.

The Civil Protection Department said eight people had been rescued as of Saturday evening local time.

Authorities told CNN that the operations were being coordinated by the Prefecture of Naples, and were expected to continue through the night. The Italian Fire Brigade said in a tweet that 70 firefighters are currently on the island to assist in search and rescue operations.

The city of Ischia, located in the Gulf of Naples, was hit by heavy rain early Saturday morning, causing damage to cars, buildings and roads.

Videos and photos released earlier today by local and national authorities showed the devastation in the coastal city of Casamicciola Terme.

“It is a time of pain and a great emergency,” said Vincenzo De Luca, governor of the Campania region, where the island is located, on Saturday, and thanked Italian Prime Minister Meloni for her close contact and message of solidarity.

Meloni said on Twitter that she had been in contact with the local authorities, expressed her solidarity with the residents and thanked the rescue services.

The mayor of Ischia, Enzo Ferrandino, described the incident as a “tragedy” and urged people not to leave their homes, according to the American news agency (ANSA).

In February 2021, a landslide on the Italian coast near Genoa caused a cemetery to collapse, sending hundreds of coffins tumbling into the sea.