Storms, Floods in Sicily Kill at least 12 People

ROME (AP) — Storm-related floods killed at least 12 people in Sicily, Italian authorities said Sunday, including nine members of two families who were spending a long weekend together when water and mud from a swollen river overran their rented villa. After surveying the stricken Mediterranean island by helicopter, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte identified two more of the victims as a German couple whose car was swept away by flood waters near Agrigento, a tourist town known for its ancient Greek temples. Italian news reports said a 1-year--old, a 3-year-old and a teenager were among the flood victims from the family get-together in Casteldaccia. A survivor, Giuseppe Giordano, lost his wife, two of his children, his parents and a brother, Italian news agency ANSA said. State broadcaster RaiNews24 said Giordano was stepping outside on Saturday night when the torrent rushed in and described him as the sole person to made it out alive. When he opened the door, "there was a river of water, I was knocked down and grabbed hold of a tree," Giordano told reporters between sobs. "I was yelling, 'Help, help.'" "My son Federico tried to save his little sister, but both died," Giordano said, telling reporters he heard his son call out "I handle" about the girl's rescue. Then "I saw the windows go dark, the light go out, a layer of mud was moving across the floor," Giordano said, Then, he said he was swept away from the house by the forc...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Major Incidents News International Source Type: news