A catastrophic mudslide has torn through a town in northern Italy, claiming two lives, leaving several missing, and forcing the evacuation of an estimated 300 residents. The disaster in the town of Cormons, located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, was triggered by torrential rains that caused a local river to burst its banks.
A Community Brought to its Knees
Firefighters discovered the body of one of the missing individuals under the rubble of a destroyed house. Officials later confirmed the recovery of a second body, that of a missing woman. The male victim, according to news reports, was a German resident who tragically lost his life after leaving his home to check on his 83-year-old neighbour during the intense downpour.
The town's mayor, Roberto Felcaro, stated on social media that the pounding rain 'brought our community to its knees'. He revealed that an astonishing about 10 inches (25cm) of rain fell in just eight hours, causing 'serious damage and problems throughout our territory'. A massive emergency response is underway, with a significant presence of law enforcement, firefighters, and civil protection agencies working tirelessly.
Rescue Efforts and Wider Weather Warnings
In a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy, rescue workers successfully pulled one man to safety from beneath destroyed homes on Monday. The survivor was transported to a hospital with a broken leg. Aerial footage from the scene depicted vast swathes of the area submerged under water, illustrating the scale of the devastation.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of severe weather affecting the continent. Weather alerts have been issued across northern Italy, and the whole of Europe has been battered by shocking weather this year. The event echoes recent travel chaos, including 100mph winds from Storm Benjamin that lashed French coasts and disrupted travel across Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland.
The Growing Mental Health Toll of Climate Change
The increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events are largely attributed to climate change, and experts are now highlighting a less visible consequence: the impact on mental health. A report by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that 'eco-fear' and other climate-related anxieties could be leading to increased drug use as people attempt to manage their emotions.
The report, overseen by the Department of Health and Social Care, links climate fears—also termed 'eco-guilt', 'eco-grief', and 'eco-anger'—to an elevated risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and even suicide. It states there is 'considerable evidence' connecting these worries to a higher risk of substance misuse and violent behaviour.
This mental health impact is not confined to those directly affected by wildfires, flooding, or drought. The report concludes that anyone with an 'overarching awareness' of climate change can experience a range of difficult emotions, from sadness and fear to panic and helplessness, with effects that can persist for years.
