People make their way in a mud-covered street in
Monterosso, Italy, after flash flooding hit the area. (AP
Photo)
Torrential rains lashed Italy from its northern Alps to
the southern island of Sicily, causing flash floods that killed
at least nine people and left six others missing, authorities
say.
The storm that began late on Tuesday (local time) spared few
areas, but the northwestern coastal region of Liguria and the
central region of Tuscany were the hardest hit.
Six of the victims were in Borghetto Vara, a village in
Liguria known for its grapes, wines and chestnuts. Roiling
waters and mud tore through the village, 75km from Genoa and
near the Cinque Terre, a popular vacation area. At least one
building collapsed.
Another victim died while trying to clear gutters in the
northwestern coastal town of Monterosso, built around a small
natural gulf.
Two others were killed in Aulla in the nearby province of
Massa Carrara, famed for its marble.
The head of La Spezia's provincial government, Marino
Fiasella, told Sky TV24 that at least six other people were
missing.
Flood waters swept away some roads and bridges, and several
towns in Liguria remained cut off from the outside world.
Authorities said major highways and the railway in Liguria
would remain closed at least through Sunday.
Rome was under a flood alert but the storm caused little
damage in the capital. A truck overturned in the storm,
blocking the key Rome-Naples superhighway for three hours.
The Defence Minister said the military was being readied to
help search for the missing and Italian news reports said up
to 100 soldiers and two helicopters would take part.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.