Several people are feared dead after heavy rains triggered landslides on the island of Ischia near Naples.
A pile of mud and debris uprooted trees, engulfed buildings and dragged cars into the ocean as it washed ashore Saturday morning.
A woman’s body is reported to have been found under the soil, and several people are still missing.
Dozens of homes are disconnected and some people are reportedly trapped in a hotel.
Resident Lisa Mucciaro told JEE News: “We started hearing thunder at around 03:00 (02:00 GMT), then the first landslide, followed by the second at around 05:00. It was terrifying.”
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told reporters that the situation was “very complicated” and that the missing were believed to be trapped under the soil. Up to 155mm (6.1in) of rain fell over six hours.
Heavy rains have been affecting the area around Campania, Naples and Ischia for several days. A weather warning for rain and strong winds is in place until Sunday.
Two people died due to bad weather in the region on Thursday. An Argentinian tourist drowned after being swept out to sea during a coastal storm, while one person died after being struck by lightning on the beach.
Local authorities are urging residents to stay indoors to avoid disrupting emergency services.
Earlier, Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said the mudslides killed eight people, adding: “From north to south, this country needs to be protected because it is the most beautiful country in the world.”
But the interior minister later said that no casualties had been confirmed yet.
Like nearby Capri, Ischia, in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a popular holiday destination for tourists and Italians alike. Ischia featured in the popular book series Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante and was the setting for the 1999 film The Talented Mr Ripley.
