On Sunday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared a state of emergency on the island of Ischia, against the backdrop of “extraordinary floods and landslides”.
The announcement came after an extraordinary cabinet meeting held on Sunday morning, according to a government statement.
“We are declaring a state of emergency on the island of Ischia after a landslide caused by heavy rain,” Meloni said.
About 10 people are still missing, while hundreds have been evacuated from their homes, according to the same source.
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The statement said the Italian government had provided two million euros ($2.1 million) in aid to the local population.
“Rescue operations are still underway Sunday afternoon in the Casamicciola Terme area, but severe weather conditions have complicated the search,” the Italian Civil Protection Department said in a statement.
In this regard, Luca Cari, a spokesman for the Italian firefighters, told state TV RAI: ”The mud and water are almost filling all the spaces.”
“Our teams are looking with hope for survivors, even if it is very difficult,” the spokesperson added.
On Saturday, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said a landslide caused by a rainstorm on the island of Ischia had killed at least eight people, according to the Associated Press.
The Italian news agency ANSA reported that the storm also led to the collapse of at least 10 buildings and the loss of a number of people, including at least three children.
The Italian agency reported that at least 100 people were stranded in separate parts of the island.