The death toll on the Italian island of Ischia rose to five on Sunday. At least nine people remain missing after the powerful Ischia landslide.
Four of the five victims have not been publicly identified. The Guardian named one victim as 32-year-old Eleonora Sirabella.
Rescuers discovered the bodies of an elderly woman and a young girl, described as being either 5 or 6 years old, on Sunday. Rescuers are still searching for nine people believed to be missing.
Triggered by heavy rain, the Ischia landslide, destroyed homes and dragged cars into the sea. More than 100 firefighters worked to clear the streets.
Illegally constructed homes
Reports say about 28,000 homes, which equates to around half the homes built on the island, were illegal. Some of the illegal builds date back as far back as 1920, The Guardian reported.
Casamicciola Terme is home to just over 2,000 people. Terme refers to the natural thermal springs which make it popular with tourists. The area is vulnerable to landslides and seismic activity. Seventy-two landslides occurred in the hamlet between 2018 and 2021.
The Campania Prefecture office told CNN that rescuers found eight people. A further 209 more were evacuated from the area during the landslide.
Giorgia Meloni’s government announced a state of emergency on the island on Sunday. More than €2million have been earmarked for repairs.
