A German grandmother and her five-month-old grandson are missing after a devastating flash flood swept through their holiday home near Pisa, Tuscany. The incident occurred when the nearby River Sterza overflowed, flooding the house where the family was staying.
The family, who were vacationing in Italy, called emergency services on Monday evening as rising floodwaters began to enter their home. However, a language barrier and difficulties in locating them delayed rescue efforts.
According to Francesco Auriemma, the mayor of Montecatini Val di Cecina, the tragedy unfolded as the family tried to move to higher floors. In a heartbreaking moment, the baby fell into the water, and the grandmother was swept away while attempting to save him. The baby’s parents and grandfather managed to reach the rooftop, where they were later rescued.
Over 100 firefighters are involved in the search operation for the missing grandmother and baby, but rescue efforts are being hindered by collapsed roads and widespread mud.
Firefighter Nicola Cianelli described the rapid rise of the floodwaters, with waves as high as 2.5 meters (8 feet) hitting the house. Heavy rainfall has battered the region since Monday, and more severe weather is expected.
Regional president Eugenio Giani noted that the area experienced unprecedented rainfall, with more water falling in six hours than typically accumulates in a month, making it the worst weather event in the region’s history.
This disaster follows recent severe flooding in nearby Emilia Romagna, where over 1,000 people were evacuated, and two individuals remain missing.
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