Latest news Italy declares state of emergency for two flood regions

Italy has declared a state of emergency for two flood regions after days of rainfall in the north of the country. The right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also made 20 million euros in emergency aid available to the two regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche.

Due to the rain, numerous roads are under water. In total, more than 2500 people had to be evacuated from their homes. Cities such as Bologna, Modena and Ravenna are affected, as is the beach resort of Rimini on the Adriatic.

In the meantime, Rome and the regional governments of the flooded areas are also blaming each other. The right-wing Minister for Civil Protection, Nello Musumeci, accused the Social Democrat administration of Emilia-Romagna of not using money that had already been made available properly. "Something is not right. There can't always be such catastrophic floods in Emilia-Romagna," said the minister. Last year, 17 people lost their lives in storms there. The damage to property ran into the billions.

The Social Democrats rejected the accusations as an electoral maneuver. Elections will be held in November in Emilia-Romagna, one of the richest and traditionally left-wing regions in Italy.

SDA