Torrential rain in Sardinia turned rivers into floods that killed at least nine people, Ansa agency reported Monday evening, dpa reported.
One man, his wife and mother-in-law died when a bridge collapsed. The dead included a police officer who died in a bridge collapse and two women, age 64 and 90, whose home was overcome in the flood, according to media reports.
A mother and her daughter were swept away in a torrent that picked up the car in which they were riding.
A number of injured people were brought to hospital, including three police officers who were injured by a bridge collapse. A number of people were reported missing. Some of them had been riding in a car that was swallowed by a sinkhole that opened in the middle of a street.
Chaotic conditions prevailed on the island. Rai News showed photos of flooded streets and raging rivers. Electricity was cut off. Hundreds had to flee their homes. Trains were stranded. Ferries and air flights were delayed. Many schools were to remain closed on Tuesday.
The head of Italy's civil rescue agency, Franco Gabrielli, telephoned with Prime Minister Enrico Letta and called an emergency meeting of rescue officials for later Monday evening.
Meteorologists projected more rainfall for Tuesday, from the storm front "Cleopatra".