At least eight people have been killed and 100 left trapped after a horrific landslide on the Italian island of Ischia, authorities have confirmed.
Italian Vice Premier Matteo Salvini released a statement on the disaster which announced 'eight people dead in the Ischia landslide' and that 'rescuers are working in difficult conditions' to free those trapped in the rubble.
The landslide was triggered by stormy weather and swept destruction through the island, collapsing a number of buildings in the town of Casamicciola Terme.
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In addition to the confirmed eight dead and around 100 trapped in isolated parts of the Italian island, there are also a number of people missing including at least three children.
The island's residents have been urged to remain in their homes if they are able so as not to get in the way of the rescue operation which is now underway.
Italy's fire and rescue service have said that due to the bad weather there is a difficulty in getting helicopters and boats over to the island to aid with the rescue efforts.
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Reinforcements for the rescue efforts are being sent from nearby Naples, but difficult weather such as heavy rainfall and strong winds is proving to be an obstacle to their arrival.
They have been rescuing people trapped or stranded by the landslide, with two people who were swept into the sea along with their car safely recovered.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said the government was in contact with figures from Civil Protection 'to follow the evolution of the wave of bad weather that has hit Ischia'.
She said: "The government expresses its closeness to the citizens and mayors of the municipalities on the island of Ischia and thanks the rescuers engaged in the search for the missing."
The island is situated off the coast of Italy about 20 miles from Naples and is a popular tourist spot.
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Ischia has experienced fatal natural disasters before, with two people dying in an earthquake which struck the island in 2017, while several people were killed by landslides in 2009 and 2006.
As is the case with many natural disasters, the true number of people dead or missing will only be known later once recovery efforts have been completed and everyone is either accounted for or gone.
Rescue efforts to save people trapped by the destruction and locate those who are currently confirmed to be missing are ongoing.
Topics: World News, News