At least ten hikers have died and several others have been rescued after flash flooding struck a gorge in southern Italy's Calabria region. The group was walking in the Raganello Gorge within a national park when a sudden torrent of water, swollen by heavy rain, swept through the narrow canyon.
Officials confirmed that 23 people have been rescued, including an eight-year-old girl who was airlifted to hospital suffering from hypothermia. Three hikers in their early twenties were found safe, according to Italian media. The death toll was initially reported as 11 but was revised down due to confusion caused by overlapping reports.
Carlo Tansi, head of civil protection, described the force of the water, saying the hikers were 'catapulted out like bullets' and washed down the valley for about three kilometres. 'The Raganello Gorge is narrow and tall, it can get up to 1km high. The gorge filled up with water in a really short time,' he added.
Italy's environment minister stated he was '99.9% sure' no more people were missing. The nationalities of the victims have not been confirmed, although Corriere della Sera reported that one of the injured was Dutch and had suffered a broken pelvis.
