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Five people reported missing in
Bardonecchia after a wave of mud, water and detritus triggered
by a landslide at high altitude swept through the town on Sunday
night have been traced, Piemonte Governor Alberto Cirio said on
Monday.
"I am in direct contact with the mayor, who has confirmed that
there are no victims and that the five people initially
considered missing have also been traced," said Ciro after
speaking to Bardonecchia Mayor Chiara Rossetti.
"This is certainly good news. However, the damage is very
significant and I have already spoken to Deputy Prime Minister
Antonio Tajani, who has said the government is available to do
its part to help us deal with this situation," he added.
One person is reported to have sustained slight injuries in the
unexpected flood after the local Merdovine river burst its
banks.
A total of 120 people are also said to have been displaced by
the flooding and are now being accommodated in a camp set up by
the Italian Red Cross in a local sports facility and in hotels.
Firefighters reportedly intervened to rescue six people trapped
in a camper that was swept downstream by the floodwater.
The local police station and hotel La Betulla are both badly
damaged and the entire local fleet of police cars has been
destroyed.
Local bridges have also been damaged, rendering the Alpine town
near the French border inaccessible to all but the emergency
services.
Gas supplies have been turned off in the area to prevent
explosions and the city council has told residents to expect
disruptions to water and electricity supplies.
Carabinieri police have also shored up the town, a popular
tourist destination in summer, against the threat of looting.
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