Heavy rainfall prompted landslides early Saturday morning on the southern Italian island of Ischia, leaving as many as 12 people missing as it ripped a muddy path through a port town, causing houses to collapse and automobiles to be swept into the sea.
The Italian minister of the interior stated that no deaths had been confirmed, contradicting an earlier statement made by another senior official.
“There are yet no verified fatalities,” stated Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi from the emergency coordination center for firemen.
Vice Premier Matteo Salvini, who is also the minister of infrastructure, told reporters at the launching of a subway line in Milan that eight deaths had been verified.
The prefect for the region of Naples, which includes Ischia, said that at least 12 individuals were missing. Italian media likewise reported Claudio Palomba as claiming that no deaths had been confirmed.
The power of the mud sliding down mountain slopes was sufficient to throw automobiles and buses into the water at the northern port of Casamicciola. The streets were impassable, and island mayors asked residents to remain indoors. At least 100 individuals were reported to be stuck.
According to the news agency ANSA, at least ten buildings have fallen. According to the prefect of Naples, a previously reported missing family with a newborn was recovered and getting medical attention.
The Coast Guard and firefighters were assisting with rescue operations. The arrival of reinforcements via ferry included teams of sniffer dogs to aid with the search efforts.
The heavily populated mountainous island’s beaches and spas make it a popular tourist destination. In 2017, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake on the island killed two individuals and caused considerable damage to Casamicciola and adjacent Lacco Ameno.
»On an Italian island, a landslide has left up to 12 people missing«