Image: (APA/AFP/ANDREAS SOLARO)
This was reported by the deputy president of the region Irene Priolo on Wednesday. “The government has released two billion euros, which will mainly serve to restart the companies. But the costs for the restart are much higher because many infrastructures, especially roads, were badly damaged by the landslides,” said Priolo.
The death toll rises to 15
The death toll from the flood is increasing. A man’s body was recovered in the fields of Lugo in the province of the Adriatic port city of Ravenna. It is likely to be a 68-year-old missing person. This increases the number of deaths to 15. The man was reported missing on May 17th. Witnesses had reported that the man got out of a van and was then swept away by the floodwaters of a river.
Day of mourning across Italy
Today’s Wednesday is a day of mourning throughout Italy, the government decided. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced at a press conference that she passed a package of measures with aid worth two billion euros on Tuesday. The suspension of tax payments for companies is also planned until August 31st. 23,000 people are still accommodated in hotels, sports halls or parishes. On Thursday, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will visit the storm areas. Italy hopes to receive 400 million euros from the EU Solidarity Fund for the reconstruction of Emilia Romagna.
More storms expected
300 million euros are earmarked to support self-employed people who have lost their jobs because of the floods. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is providing 700 million euros to support companies exporting abroad that have been hit by the floods. 100 million euros are earmarked for compensation for agricultural companies, and another 75 million are to be used to purchase new agricultural machinery. There are also plans to increase admission prices for museums by one euro. “The proceeds are to be used for the restoration of the affected cultural assets in Emilia Romagna,” said Meloni.
The situation is not defusing in Emilia Romagna. New storms are expected throughout northern Italy in the next few days. This could make the situation worse for the evacuated people, who have not yet been able to return to their homes, especially in the provinces of Ravenna and Forli.
Source: Nachrichten
