Father and son Leone and Francesco Nardon plunged into a sinkhole caused by massive flooding in northern Italy that has forced officials to issue a cluster of red alerts
A dad and son have died after they were swallowed in a sinkhole created by horror red alert floods.
Leone and Francesco Nardon were killed as they travelled by car into the northern Italian town of Valdagno, in Vicenza, Italy, one of the many communities hit hard by recent severe flooding, on Thursday. The two, reported aged 64 and 21, fell with their car into a sinkhole after braving the storm to help with rescue efforts. Local media reported that their car fell into the sinkhole after the ground gave way, and they were washed into the nearby Agno River.
Regional publication the Corriere Del Veneto reports Leone was found by emergency services first, with his body stuck on the riverbed of the Agno. Francesco, an engineering student at the University of Modena, was found later near the car. Early reports suggest he had tried to escape the vehicle, but was trapped in the furiously rushing water.
Luca Zaia, the President of Veneto, said the incident was a “tragedy” and added he would send his condolences to the father and son’s loved ones. He said: “It is a tragedy. The loss of these two lives will be remembered. I send my condolences to the family of the two victims.”
Members of the band in Cornedo Vicentino with whom Francesco played the trumpet for three years, said the 21-year-old was an “example of dedication and generosity” in a heartbreaking tribute. They said: “Francesco had been with us a little over three years, but since the beginning he had been an example of dedication and generosity.
“Despite him attending university in Modena, he was never missing practice, our services and concerts whenever he was coming back to Valdagno, showing his huge commitment and love for music.” They added: “His sense of duty and integrity were rare and precious qualities, particularly nowadays, in a world that often struggles to value these principles.”
“His prescence would leave a positive mark and his example invites us to be better every day.” The father and son’s death come during a desperate time for many Italians living in the north, with millions of people living under the threat of severe floods.
Northwestern Italy was placed on red alert on Thursday following torrential rain and strong gales, with local media reporting the Piedmont region has been hardest hit. Traffic and rail services have been significantly disrupted, and officials have been forced to restrict access to some areas as a precaution.
In the Piedmontese Aosta Valley, 26,000 residents were left without power due to the floods, Italy’s Civil Protection Department said, with rivers threatening to burst their banks in 100 municipalities.
Officials have also reported a massive 23 landslides in the region, further complicating an already deadly situation.
