Eleven dead after landslide in Ischia Star architect Meinhard von Gerkan dies at age 87

The number of victims of the landslides and floods on the Italian Mediterranean island of Ischia has risen to eleven.

Three of the four most recently missing residents were found Thursday afternoon, civil protection said. It was the 38-year-old father and 37-year-old mother of the three children who also died in the storm on Saturday night and had been found earlier. In addition, the emergency services found a 31-year-old man whose partner had also died. Another woman was missing.

Nello Musumeci, the Minister of Civil Protection, reported in parliament that in addition to the dead and missing, five people were injured, one of them seriously. 290 people had to leave their homes and were accommodated in hotels, among other things.

In total, about 900 buildings were affected as violent storms swept across the island in the Gulf of Naples and violent landslides occurred. During inspections, experts have so far identified 45 buildings as damaged to such an extent that they can no longer be entered. According to Musumeci, 56 other homes are also at risk. The remaining 950 homes in the affected area will be checked by the fire brigade in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Italy continues to debate what to do with houses built without a permit. Often these are in areas classified as dangerous, such as Ischia. Musumeci said in his speech to the Chamber of Deputies that the issue of illegal construction must be addressed. The president of the Campania region, to which Ischia belongs, recently demanded that all illegal buildings be demolished.

Meanwhile, the rescue teams were concerned about the weather forecast for the weekend; rain was announced again. Fire spokesman Cari announced that the search for the missing will continue as conditions allow. (aeg/sda/dpa)