Italy's heavy flooding devastatingly claimed the lives of at least nine people as the torrential rain left a trail of destruction in the northern Emilia-Romagna region.
The catastrophe has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes while also taking an unexpected toll on the sporting world, as it canceled the highly anticipated Formula One race.
Italy Flooding Kills Nine People
A picture taken in Cesena on May 17, 2023 shows a car in a flooded supermarket area after heavy rains have caused major floodings in central Italy, where trains were stopped and schools were closed in many towns while people were asked to leave the ground floors of their homes and to avoid going out.
As per Reuters, the historically heavy rains that ravaged northern Italy triggered devastating landslides and destructive flooding, overwhelming towns and villages in the Emilia-Romagna region amid the annual tourist season.
The president of the region, Stefano Bonaccini, says the recent catastrophe left by the torrential rains is an event they have never witnessed before. He further notes, "Extraordinary amounts of rain have fallen on land no longer capable of absorbing them."
The regional president, Bonaccini, confirmed that nine people have already died from the flooding on Wednesday due to the widespread landslides and flooding.
Meanwhile, the vice president of the Emilia-Romagna region, Irene Priolo, says that rains have started easing up. But despite that, the river levels in the region continue to rise alarmingly.
According to the BBC, roughly 10,000 people in northern Italy had evacuated from their homes amid the catastrophic flooding in the area, which submerged some houses. Due to the landslides and floods, some rescuers had to use a helicopter to help people awaiting rescue on top of their roofs.
Meanwhile, CNN notes that Bonaaccini confirmed that 5,000 people from Ravenna have already evacuated. In Faenza, around 5,000 residents also had to leave their homes, whereas 3,000 folks from Bologna also vacated their houses.
The authorities confirmed that the catastrophic rains wrecked 14 river banks, causing deadly floods in the nearby towns.
The mayor of Ravenna, Michele de Pascale, describes the catastrophe as the "worst night in the history" in the northern Italy region. The regional mayor notes that it is no longer "recognizable" due to the destruction it left.
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Heavy Flooding Cancels Formula One Race
Volunteer firefighters ride their dinghy across a street flooded by the river Savio in the Ponte Vecchio district of Cesena, central eastern Italy, on May 17, 2023.
Amid the devastating flooding across northern Italy, the much-awaited Emilia Romagna F1 Grand Prix, supposedly kicking off this weekend, is stepping aside. As the torrential rain left destructive floods, race officials were left with no choice but to cancel the event.
The F1 Grand Prix race organizers discussed with the local authorities before deciding to call off the event this weekend. BBC notes that the rains in the region will continue to pour in the coming days.
The supposed F1 track, which should echo the roar of engines and the cheers of excited spectators this weekend, is now submerged beneath the floodwaters.
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