Palermo, Italy— Torrential rains flooded a low-lying road in Sicily on November 1, 2026, drowning one driver who became trapped inside his car as water rose rapidly around him.
The incident happened near Catania, in an underpass that collects water during heavy downpours. Rain started around midday and intensified. Within 30 minutes, the underpass filled with more than a meter of water. The driver entered before the depth was visible.
Witnesses said the car stalled halfway through. Water entered the doors. The driver tried to open a window but the pressure held it shut. Bystanders shouted and threw a rope, but the current pushed the car sideways. Firefighters arrived eight minutes later.
"We found the vehicle fully submerged. The driver was inside. We broke the window and pulled him out, but he was already unconscious," a fire brigade commander said at the scene. Paramedics attempted resuscitation on the roadside. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Sicily has seen repeated flash floods in underpasses and low roads. Drainage systems are old and often clogged with debris. Municipalities have installed warning signs but not barriers. Drivers often misjudge depth.
ANSA reported that rainfall totals reached 120 millimeters in three hours in parts of eastern Sicily. Streets in Catania and Syracuse were flooded. Schools closed early. Several basements were inundated. Traffic police diverted vehicles from five other underpasses.
The victim was identified as a man in his 60s from a nearby town. Officials said he was on his way home from work. His family was notified Saturday evening.
Regional civil protection issued an orange alert for Sunday. More thunderstorms are forecast over the Ionian coast. Officials urged drivers to avoid low-lying roads and underpasses during heavy rain.
The underpass remained closed late Saturday as pumps removed water. Investigators will check if drainage pumps were working at the time of the flood.
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