At least nine people have died in flash floods as torrential rains battered Italy from the Alps to Sicily.

Most victims were in Borghetto di Vara, a village in the region of north-western coast of Liguria, 45 miles from Genoa. Water and mud through the village, the collapse of at least one building, authorities said.

One of the victims died while trying to remove channels from the coastal town of Monterosso, built around a small natural gulf. Two others died in Aulla in the neighboring province of Massa Carrara.


The head of the provincial government in La Spezia, Fiasella Marino told Sky at least six people were missing.

Flood waters swept away roads and bridges in some places and several towns in Liguria remained cut off. Authorities said major highways and railways in the region remain closed at least until Sunday.

The storm spared some cases, but Liguria and Tuscany were the most affected. Rome was under flood warning, but the storm caused little damage in the capital.

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