Heavy rains triggered landslides early Saturday on the southern Italy island of Ischia, collapsing buildings and leaving up to 12 people missing.
Italy’s interior minister said no deaths had yet been confirmed, which appears to contradict an initial announcement by another top politician.
“At the moment there are no confirmed deaths,” said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, speaking from the fire brigade’s emergency coordination centre.
Debris is visible on the street, following a landslide on the Italian island of Ischia, Italy, in this photo obtained by Reuters on Nov. 26, 2022.
(Carabinieri/Handout via REUTERS)
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Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is also infrastructure minister, earlier said eight deaths had been confirmed, speaking to reporters at the opening of a subway extension in Milan.
The prefecture of the Naples region, which includes Ischia, said at least 12 people were missing.
Rescuers help an injured person following a landslide on the Italian island of Ischia, Italy, in this photo obtained by Reuters on Nov. 26, 2022.
(Carabinieri/Handout via REUTERS)
Video from the island shows the paths that landslides had cut down the slopes, leaving behind trails of mud. Roads were impassable and the island’s mayors urged people to stay at home. At least 100 people were stranded.
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The ANSA news agency reported that at least 10 buildings collapsed. According to the prefect of Naples Claudio Palomba, a family with a newborn previously reported missing had been located and was receiving medical treatment.
A view shows a road after a landslide on the Italian island of Ischia, Italy, in this photo obtained by Reuters on Nov. 26, 2022.
(Carabinieri/Handout via REUTERS)
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Firefighters were working on rescues. Reinforcements were sent from nearby Naples, but were having difficulty reaching the island by both motorboat and helicopter due to bad weather.
