7 dead as heavy rainfall causing landslide in Italian island

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

The rescue missions are continuing on the south Italian island of Ischia Sunday, after heavy rainfall Saturday caused a massive landslide in the area. Seven people have been pronounced dead due to the landslide, with five still noted as missing.

Those still missing in the port town of Casamiccola on the north end of the island are feared to be buried under mud and debris, after the landslide created a muddy environment through the town. The force of the mud that slid down mountainsides was strong enough that cars and buses were sent into the sea.

Building collapses were reported as result of the landslide, with Naples prefect Claudio Palomba stating that 15 homes were overwhelmed by the mud stream. Palomba also said that four were injured and more than 160 people were displaced.

The rainfall in the area was immense, as Ischia, which sits on the Bay of Naples, received nearly five inches of rain within six hours. According to local officials, this was the heaviest rainfall in Ischia in 20 years.

During an urgent Cabinet meeting on Sunday, the Italian government declared a state of emergency for the island, committing over $2 million for rescue missions and to restore public services.

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