Video showed the aftermath of a landslide that engulfed buildings during heavy rain on the southern Italian holiday island of Ischia on Saturday (November 26).

There was confusion among government ministers over the death toll. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said that no deaths had been confirmed. However Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said earlier during an event in Milan that eight people had been killed.

Torrential rain hit the port of Casamicciola Terme, one of the six small towns on the island, in the early hours of Saturday, triggering flooding and bringing down buildings.

The fire brigade said searches were underway for 13 people initially reported missing.

Video showed diggers removing mud and damaged vehicles lining the streets.

Ischia is a volcanic island around 30 km (19 miles) from Naples that draws visitors to its thermal baths and picturesque coastline. It is densely populated and has a large number of illegally built houses, putting inhabitants at permanent risk from flooding and earthquakes.