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Italy is struggling with the consequences of severe storms, while the Prime Minister publishes a selfie with a Hollywood star. Criticism is pouring in.
Rome – The effects of severe storms are presenting Italy with major challenges. Intense rainfall has caused flooding and catastrophic flooding. In the Italian region of Apulia, a firefighter even lost his life in the floods. Although Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised support to the affected areas, she also posted a happy selfie with a Hollywood star.
The Emilia Romagna region in Italy was hit particularly hard by the storms. © Fabrizio Zani/dpa
Amid the storm chaos in Italy, Meloni shared a cheerful selfie with a Hollywood star
The right-wing head of government was actually supposed to attend an extraordinary cabinet meeting on the floods. But instead, on Saturday (September 21) she posted a selfie on Instagram in which she can be seen smiling with Mel Gibson, the star of the film “Braveheart”. She captioned the picture “Mel&Mel”. The reactions to the picture were mostly negative. One user commented in horror: “We are sinking in the mud here!” Another user expressed outrage: “Shame on you!”
One commentator asked in disbelief: “Emilia Romagna has been the victim of an exceptional storm for the second time in a year and the victims of the floods are still waiting for state aid (…) and you post a picture with Mel Gibson?” Another commentator angrily expressed: “How do you sleep at night?”
Meloni had previously assured the affected regions of her full support: “We will provide the affected population with the best possible support,” she assured. After an extraordinary meeting in Rome, the government promised emergency aid totaling 24 million euros to the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, which were particularly badly affected by the storms – where a state of emergency was even declared due to the storms.
The extent of the damage caused by the storm in Italy is only now becoming apparent
The heavy rains that have continued since Thursday (September 19) have forced more than 2,500 people in Italy to leave their homes. Some found shelter with relatives and friends, while others slept in sports halls. Cities such as Bologna, Modena and Ravenna were affected, as was the popular seaside resort of Rimini on the Adriatic, whose high season had only just ended a few days ago. In Emilia-Romagna, some residents had to experience a flood disaster for the third time in a year.
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