Landslide kills 8 on Italian island

At least eight people died yesterday after heavy rains caused a landslide on the Italian island of Ischia, media reports said. A wave of mud swept down the hill in the small town of Casamicciola Terme in the early hours of the morning, engulfing at least one house and sweeping cars down to the sea, media reports and emergency services said. Earlier, news reports said 13 people had been reported missing, although there was no official confirmation. The fire service said help was being sent from Naples, the nearest major city, but weather conditions were making it difficult to access the island.