At least one person died and several others went missing on the
island of Ischia in southern Italy on Saturday, after heavy rains
triggered a landslide that hit several residential buildings,
according to authorities and local media, Trend reports citing
Xinhua.
“So far, we can confirm one victim,” Italian news agency AGI
cited Naples prefect Claudio Palomba as reporting.
The prefect said the victim was believed to be a woman who
resided permanently on the island.
The landslide occurred at around 5 a.m. local time, yet, rough
sea conditions were making it hard for emergency boats and
helicopters to manage intervention.
Searching activities were ongoing, especially in Casamicciola
Terme, one of the municipalities of Ischia. At least 10 buildings
collapsed due to the landslide, according to local media.
As of late Saturday, some 80 people were evacuated to a local
sports facility, but their number might rise, while dozens of
families are still isolated and impossible to reach, ANSA news
agency reported.
All rescue efforts were being coordinated by Civil Protection
Department chief Fabrizio Curcio from the prefecture of Naples,
where local and national rescue agencies were involved in an
ongoing emergency meeting. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
took part via video-link in the emergency meeting in Naples,
according to the local prefect.
Through social platforms and local media, Ischia Mayor Enzo
Ferrandino has appealed to people on the island to remain indoors
in order to facilitate rescue operations.
Ischia is a volcanic island lying in the Tyrrhenian Sea some 30
km from the southern city of Naples.
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