Landslide on the Italian island of Ischia – at least eight dead

It was around 5 a.m. Saturday when the landslide swept through the seaside resort of Casamicciola Terme on the island of Ischia. According to the Italian news agency I forget The landslide was caused by heavy rain.

Initially it was reported that at least thirteen people, including a family with children, were missing. Italy’s infrastructure minister later said at least eight people had died, according to the AGI news agency.

Several cars are said to have been swept into the sea and a dozen or so buildings are said to have collapsed. The mayor of Ischia, Enzo Ferrandino, urged the residents of the area to stay at home.

“Because of the unfavorable weather conditions and the massive damage that has already occurred in Casamicciola Terme, I ask you to stay in your homes and not move,” he wrote on Facebook.

Gino Ballerano is the parish priest in the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena and tried to contact some of the missing persons.

– I have tried to contact some people who may be missing, but unfortunately I have not received an answer. I’m trying to get there, but the road under my house is blocked by a wall of cars and trees, he told the news agency.

Traffic on the roads to the resort is completely blocked, but emergency services are working to reach the hardest hit places.