Cyclone Kills 17 on Italy’s Sardinia, Emergency State Declared

A state of emergency has been declared on the Italian island of Sardinia after a cyclone and heavy rains killed at least 17 people.

Prime Minister Enrico Letta has announced the allocation of EUR 20 M for immediate relief efforts, reports the BBC.

The hardest hit areas were in the north-eastern part of the island, where the cities of Arzachena and Olbia lie. A whole family was killed when their basement flat filled with water, while a number of others were crushed under falling bridges and trees.

“We haven't seen a situation as extreme as this, perhaps for decades - especially because it's been across the whole island. We're at maximum alert”, a local civil protection official told Rai TV.

The storm is moving eastwards, and could bring further heavy rains to mainland Italy. Venice is particularly susceptible to floods.

Hundreds of Sardinians have been driven out of their homes by the floods.