Death toll rises in Sardinia after impact of Cyclone Cleopatra

The death toll keeps rising in the Italian region of Sardinia due to devastating floods caused by Cyclone Cleopatra, as rescue efforts continue on the Mediterranean island.

The Italian government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday morning, freeing €20m in funds for the affected areas, in what prime minister Enrico Letta described as a "national tragedy".

At least 16 people died, Ugo Cappellacci, regional governor of Sardinia, told Sky television after Cyclone Cleoatra dropped 450mm of rain in an hour and a half overnight. Many are reported missing and hundreds are fleeing from their homes.

Among the victims a family of four, drowned in their basement flat, a mother and daughter trapped in their car and a police officer who was trying to escort an ambulance.

The northeastern coastal region around the city of Olbia, popular for attracting tourists in the summer months, appears to be the worst hit by the heavy rain. The central inland area has also been severely affected, but damage has occurred across the whole island.

According to Coldiretti, a national agricultural association, more than 300 municipalities in Sardinia have part of their territory rated as a high hydrogeological risk, with landslides and floods very likely to take place.

Franco Gabrielli, head of the national civil protection agency, said the cyclone was a "true natural calamity". Over 450 millilitres of rain have fallen in 12 hours, "the same quantity of rain that Italy usually gets in six months," he said.

"With these levels, no territories are safe," he added.

The unusual quantities of rain water have caused the bursting of river banks and the collapse of bridges, with muddy floods, reported to be up to 3m high, sweeping away cars and submerging homes.

"The phenomenon is possible, yet very unusual," says Alfonso Sutera, professor of the physics department of the University of Rome, explaining that "the warm and humid air in the Mediterranean Sea has reinforced the cyclone".

"The situation is tragic. Hotels in Olbia are full of people who had to escape, and there are thousands who have damaged homes," said Mr Cappellacci.

He is expected to meet Mr Gabrielli in the central town of Nuoro for an emergency committee aimed at co-ordinating searches for missing people, assistance to the homeless and urgent works on the main roads. Over 100 voluntary workers for the Italian Red Cross are operating on the island, supporting local rescue teams and the army.

Additional reporting by Reuters

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