Guernsey Press

At least 4 dead as storms in Switzerland and Italy cause flooding and landslides

The worst-hit areas were in the Italian-speaking Ticino canton (state), on the southern side of the Alps.

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Storms in Switzerland and northern Italy have caused extensive flooding and landslides, leaving at least four people dead, authorities said on Sunday.

The bodies of three people were recovered following a landslide in the Fontana area of the Maggia valley in the Italian-speaking Ticino canton (state) on the southern side of the Alps.

Storms and heavy rain pounded southern and western Switzerland on Saturday and overnight.

Switzerland Europe Storms
The Rhone river floods streets in Sierre, Switzerland, following heavy rain (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone/AP)

Further north, the Rhone rver burst its banks in several areas of Valais canton, flooding a highway and a railway line.

Police said side valleys south of the Rhone saw particularly heavy rain, and the body of a man whose partner had reported him missing was found at a hotel in the Alpine resort of Saas-Grund early on Sunday. They said he is believed to have been caught by surprise by floodwater.

Switzerland Europe Storms
The Rhone river overflows in Sierre, Switzerland, following storms (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone/AP)

Floods, thunderstorms and landslides also hit various regions in northern Italy.

Firefighters said they carried out about 80 rescue operations, evacuating dozens of people in the northern Piedmont region.

Europe Storms
The Navizence river floods the industrial zone that produces aluminium in Chippis, Switzerland (Olivier Maire/Keystone/AP)

Several villages were isolated due to overflowing streams, storms and landslides in the Valle D’Aosta region.

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