[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] A landslide caused by heavy rain occurred on the island of Ischia, a luxury resort in the Gulf of Naples in southern Italy, on the 26th (local time), resulting in numerous casualties and property damage.
According to the Italian daily 'La Repubblica,' a landslide struck the northern Casamicciola area of Ischia Island around 5 a.m. that day, engulfing residential areas. So far, one person has died and 12 are missing.
Emergency rescue teams were dispatched, but the landslide blocked roads and the terrain made it difficult for heavy equipment to enter, causing rescue and search operations to proceed slowly.
There was confusion in the tally of the dead and missing. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini initially reported that eight people had died in the accident. However, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi later issued a conflicting statement saying that among the 10 to 12 missing persons, no deaths had yet been reported.
The emergency rescue team recovered the body of a woman at the site where the landslide began only in the afternoon of the same day.
Ischia Island experienced 120 to 155 mm of heavy rain over six hours overnight. In particular, more than 50 mm of torrential rain fell between 4 and 5 a.m., exacerbating the damage.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, at least 10 houses collapsed and at least 100 residents were isolated due to the accident.
Early reports said that three family members, including a newborn, were missing, but fortunately, the family was confirmed to be safe.
Ischia Island is a compact volcanic island measuring 10 km in length and 7 km in width, with a population of 60,000. A landslide also occurred in 2009 causing casualties, and most houses are old and known to be vulnerable to landslides and earthquakes due to non-compliance with building codes and related regulations.
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