Eight killed in landslide on Italian holiday island of Ischia, minister Matteo Salvini says

At least eight people have been killed in landslides on the Italian holiday island of Ischia, officials say.

Multiple landslides were caused by rainstorms and flooding in the town of Casamicciola Terme, which is around 20 miles off the coast of Naples.

Several people are believed to be missing after heavy rainfall destroyed at least 10 buildings on the island, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Motorboats and helicopters involved in rescue attempts have struggled to access the island due to the bad weather, the fire brigade said.

The disaster saw a car dragged into the sea, but the two occupants were rescued, it added.

Infrastructure minister Matteo Salvini said in a statement: “There are eight people dead in the Ischia landslide. Rescuers are working in difficult conditions.”

Gianna Capuano, an Italian civil protection official, told Sky TG24 that a young child was among the missing.

One resident told ASNA there had been heavy rain from “around midnight” with “roars heard” at around 3am local time.

She claimed the first landslide was followed by roughly five others.