1 Dead, 1 Missing after Flash Floods in Puglia, Italy

by in Europe

Severe flooding caused by several days of heavy rain in the southern Italian region of Puglia left one person dead and another missing.

The victim was in his car which was swept away by flood water near Varano Lake, in the Gargano area. The body of the victim – a 24 year old man – was found on Saturday 06 September although it is understood that the victim had disappeared on Wednesday 03 September. An elderly man was swept away by flood water in Peschici, in the province of Foggia, also in Puglia and remains missing.

Several areas in Gargano saw severe flooding after 2 to 3 days of heavy rain last week. Some reports claim the rainfall is the heaviest in 80 years, with 60cm (two feet) or rain falling in the last few days.

Road and rail transport was badly affected, leaving some areas isolated, and over 1,000 people had to be evacuated. The areas is a popular tourist destination and the floods have affected many tourist spots, as the before and after photo of the beach at Peschici shows below.

More images of the recent floods in Gargano, Italy, from social media: