Italy’s holiday island Ischia hit by landslide; leaves eight people dead & several missing

At least eight people in Italy’s holiday island, Ischia were killed by a landslide and several people are still missing. According to media reports, the officials stated that the island was struck with multiple landslips caused due to heavy rains 20 miles off the coast of Naples, in the hamlet of Casamicciola Terme.

Infrastructure minister Matteo Salvini said that rescue workers were on the ground, while 13 people were reported missing after the calamity. The Guardian reported that several houses were uprooted due to the landslide, rendering the situation extremely complicated at the moment. A search operation involving motorboats and helicopters was currently underway. However, the bad weather and jams on the ground have made it quite difficult.


Ischia mayor Enzo Ferrandino urged the residents to stay at home. He said the number of people missing was uncertain. Ferrandino also said that the bad weather in Ischia had also led to issues in other areas, though the situation wasn’t as bad. The current calamity in Casamicciola is the worst since an earthquake rocked the town in 2017, injuring at least 42 people.


Most regions in Italy have witnessed heavy rainfall past week for the past few months. Earlier in September, at least 13 people died due to severe flooding in the Marche region. According to witnesses, the present calamity occurred around 3 am, and a total of six landslides took place in quick succession.

Among those missing was also a couple, their two children, and a newborn child. Electricity in the affected areas was reportedly taken down. In the town of Lacco Ameno, 30 families were reported stuck in their homes, while several buildings in the hamlet had collapsed.

FAQs:

1. How many people died in the tragedy?
   8 people have died, and 13 were missing.
2. Who’s the mayor of Ischia?
   Enzo Ferrandino.