Ischia weather emergency, Civil Protection System is operational at full capacity

A landslide generated by the heavy rainfall that has affected southern Italy and Campania, struck the town of Casamicciola on the island of Ischia this morning. The rescue operation - particularly complicated by the adverse weather conditions - was immediately activated to search for the missing, evacuations of at-risk locations and assistance for the population. The operations that led to the finding of a deceased woman and the hospitalization of three injured people and the rescue and securing of numerous people are still ongoing and will continue throughout the night to reach all isolated locations and search for the 11 people who are still missing. The landslide and flooding phenomena related to the heavy rains have also caused significant damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure with the interruption of essential services in some areas.

The Relief Coordination Center (CCS), chaired by Prefect Claudio Palomba, is operating at the Prefecture of Naples, and was attended throughout the day by the Head of the Civil Protection Department, the President of the Campania Region and the Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Naples, as well as the Mayors of the municipalities on the Island of Ischia and representatives of all components and operational structures working in the area. The meetings of the CCS were also attended by Minister for Civil Protection Nello Musumeci, Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano and, in connection from the National Operations Center of the Fire Brigade, Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi.

The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who constantly followed the situation and the interventions throughout the day, reached the operational headquarters of the Civil Protection Department in the afternoon and connected with the CCS of the Prefecture of Naples to receive the last updates "I renew our gratitude to the institutions, which immediately came into action, and to all the rescuers who are working incessantly to help the people affected by the bad weather," said the President Meloni on behalf of the entire government.

Hundreds of units from the entire Campania region have been deployed on the island, including firefighters, police, armed forces, organized civil protection volunteers, health service, technical and scientific community and other operational facilities, all coordinated at the Municipal Operations Center (COC) activated at Casamicciola. In support of local authorities, teams from the Civil Protection Department and the regional civil protection structure also reached the island.

A first reception area has been set up at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Forio, while hoteliers and restaurateurs from other municipalities have given their willingness to offer hospitality and meals to the evacuated citizens, which currently amount to about 130 but may increase over the next hours.