Floods hit hilly region of central-east Italy

According to State radio, floodwaters triggered by heavy rainfall swept through several towns in a hilly region of central-east Italy early Friday, leaving 10 dead and several missing.

Dozens of survivors scrambled onto rooftops or up trees to await rescue. Some 50 people were treated at hospitals for injuries. Many of the 300 firefighters deployed waded through waist-high water in flooded streets while others operated rubber dinghies to scoop up survivors along their path.

Some of the worst flooding struck the town of Senigallia, while small towns in the hills near the Renaissance tourist town of Urbino were also deluged when fast-moving rivers of water, mud and debris rushed through streets.