“Deadly Storm in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna Region: Nine Killed, Thousands Impacted”

The storm in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna has killed at least nine people. A number of people are still missing.

The body of a deceased woman was found near Cesenatico beach, 20 kilometers from her home. According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, 50,000 people are without electricity. 100,000 people are disconnected from the mobile network.

According to Emilia-Romagna region president Stefano Bonaccini, as much rain fell in 36 hours as normal in six months. That led to at least 280 landslides, 400 roads are blocked.

The army is working with the coast guard to evacuate people who are cut off from the outside world. Giorgia Meloni’s government has met to arrange financial support. This now amounts to 30 million euros for the region on the Adriatic coast.

Sunday’s Formula 1 Grand Prix at Imola, which is close to many of the hardest-hit areas, was called off to ease pressure on emergency services. A concert by Bruce Springsteen in Ferrara will continue for the time being.

The heavy rainfall follows a period of extreme drought, as a result of which the water was not properly absorbed by the soil. No more heavy rain showers are expected today.

Pope Francis has expressed his condolences to the victims in the region. He calls it a “huge catastrophe”, and thanks all the people who helped.