Death toll rises in Italian campsite mudslide

Cars washed away by mudslide at Le Giare campsite

SOVERATO, Italy -- Rescue workers have found the bodies of two more victims of a mudslide that swept through a campsite in southern Italy, bringing the death toll to 12.

The bodies of the two women were found buried under mud and debris and rescue officials say at least five people remain missing, although the exact number of people in the campsite at the time of the floods in the Calabria region on Sunday is not yet known.

Hundreds of workers and police officers are continuing their search, but civil defence official Salvatore Mottola said the chances of finding anyone alive are "virtually nil."

The incident followed a weekend of heavy rains which left several hamlets isolated and caused massive floods along the country's coastline.

VIDEO CNN's Gayle Young reports on the devastation caused by the mudslide Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     MESSAGE BOARD Nature's Wrath

The mudslide which hit Le Giare campsite near the seaside town of Soverato turned the area into a sea of mud, overturning cars and trailers and destroying bungalows.

The campsite was filled with disabled holidaymakers and volunteer workers.

The floods destroyed the campsite's guest register, complicating the task of accounting for the living, the dead and the missing.

Prime Minister Giuliano Amato is holding a special cabinet meeting on Monday where ministers are expected to declare a state of emergency in the area after three days of torrential rain and high winds.

Environmentalists have blamed the flooding on deforestation, unregulated construction and inadequate drainage maintenance.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.

10 dead, more missing in Italian camp flood
September 10, 2000

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