Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Eleven people dead at campground flood in southern Italy

Ap
Monday 11 September 2000 00:00 BST
Comments

Hundreds of searchers are combing the debris of a campground in southern Italy where 11 people were swept away by the rain-swollen waters of a nearby stream. At least four people are missing.

Hundreds of searchers are combing the debris of a campground in southern Italy where 11 people were swept away by the rain-swollen waters of a nearby stream. At least four people are missing.

Civil defense official Salvatore Mottola said the chances of finding them alive were "virtually nil."

The sun came out again on Monday after a weekend of heavy rains which had left several hamlets there isolated and caused massive floods along the country's coastline.

A mudslide hit Le Giare campground before dawn on Sunday near the seaside town of Soverato, turning it into a sea of mud, flipping over cars, shoving trailers into trees and smashing bungalows. It was filled with disabled people who were vacationing there with their volunteer aides.

The muddy waters destroyed the campground's guest register, complicating the task of accounting for the living, the dead and the missing.

In a sign of respect for the victims, RAI state TV postponed the popular Miss Italia beauty contest, rescheduling it on Monday night.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in