Rescuers remove debris a day after mudslides hit the village of Giampilieri near the Sicilian city of Messina October 3, 2009. The death toll from rainstorms and landslides in Sicily rose to 20 on Saturday and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the number of victims could more than double as 30 people were still missing. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Floods strike Italian town, state of emergency declared

    ROME, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Italian government declared a state of emergency on Friday after flash floods and mudslides hit the southern town of Messina in Sicily leaving at least 20 dead and 35 missing, local media reported.

    The storm, starting Thursday night, lasted till Friday morning flooding the entire area. The rains dumped 230 cm of water in less than an hour knocking down houses in the city's districts and nearby towns. Full story

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