After days of heavy rainfall, the Italian island of Ischia was engulfed in a landslide that burying everything in its path. Italian officials are still assessing the situation but believe up to a dozen people may be trapped under the mud. One body has reportedly already been recovered.
The torrent of mud and debris dislodged trees, engulfed buildings and dragged cars into the sea as it reached the coast early on Saturday.
The body of a woman was reported to have been found under the mud, and several other people are still missing.
Dozens of homes are cut off, with bad weather hampering rescuers.
Resident Lisa Mocciaro told Ansa news agency: “We started hearing loud thunder at about 03:00 (02:00 GMT), then the first landslide came down, followed by a second one around 05:00. It was horrifying.”
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told reporters the situation was “very complicated” and that the people missing were believed to be trapped under the mud. Up to 155mm (6.1in) of rain fell over the course of six hours.
Heavy rains have been battering Campania, the region surrounding Naples and Ischia, for several days. A weather warning for rainfall and strong winds is in place until Sunday.
