Heavy rain has flooded a gorge filled with hikers in the southern Italian region of Calabria, killing at least eight people, the civil protection agency said.Officials said the dead included four men and four women.
“We have 8 dead but we can’t rule out the toll increasing,” the local civil protection told the AFP news agency. All of the victims are believed to be Italian tourists.The head of civil protection, told that 12 other people, including a 10-year-old boy, were taken to safety after the flash flood in the Gorge, a popular hiking spot.As night fell, a helicopter was helping with the search operation, while rescue workers aided by powerful lights scoured the terrain.The 12-kilometer- (71/2-mile-) long Raganello Gorge on the eastern side of the Pollino National Park is a popular aquatic trekking area, with trails that take in striking rock formations, waterfalls and clear pools.