One person was killed and 10 more were missing on Saturday after heavy rain caused a landslide on the Italian island of Ischia.
Ischia, in the Gulf of Naples, was hit by torrential rain early Saturday. The rain caused a landslide, and cars, buildings and roads were damaged.
Search and rescue operations are underway in the small town of Casamicciola Terme. Naples are sending reinforcements the Italian Fire Brigade said. However, weather conditions are complicating the search.
Eight people had been rescued as of Saturday evening local time.
70 firefighters currently aiding search and rescue
The operations were being coordinated by the Naples prefecture and are expected to continue through the night. Seventy firefighters are currently on the island assisting with the search and rescue, the Italian Fire Brigade tweeted.
“It is a time of pain and great emergency,” Vincenzo De Luca, governor of the Campania region, said on Saturday.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni said on Twitter she was in contact with local authorities, and expressed solidarity with residents and thanking the rescue services.
Ischia mayor Enzo Ferrandino described the incident as a “tragedy” and urged people not to leave their homes, reports ANSA news agency.
