Heavy rains cause landslides on Italian island

A landslide occurred on the island of Ischia in southern Italy, collapsing buildings and leaving 12 people missing.

Italy’s interior minister said no deaths had yet been confirmed, seemingly contradicting earlier statements by another senior politician.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said from the Firefighters Emergency Coordination Center: “No fatalities have been confirmed at this time.

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is also minister of infrastructure, told reporters at the opening ceremony of the Milan subway extension that eight people had been confirmed dead.

The province of Naples, which includes the island of Ischia, said at least 12 people were missing.

Video from the island shows a trail where landslides have cut through the slopes, leaving trails of mud. The streets were impassable and the island’s mayor urged people to stay home.At least 100 people were reported stranded.

News agency ANSA reported that at least 10 buildings had collapsed. Naples governor Claudio Palomba said a family with a previously reported missing newborn baby had been found and was being treated.

Firefighters and the Coast Guard were engaged in rescue operations. Reinforcements arrived by ferry, including a team of sniffer dogs to assist the search effort.

The densely populated mountainous island is a popular tourist destination for both its beaches and spas. A 4.0-magnitude earthquake on the island in 2017 killed two people and wreaked havoc on Casamicciola and the neighboring town of Lacohi Ameno.