Big cleanup after Italy sees 'worst flooding in a century'

At least I4 killed and thousands stranded after half-year’s rain falls in 36 hours

FAENZA, Italy - Italy received offers of international aid on Friday for floods, described as its worst in a century, which killed at least 14 people and left thousands stranded in waterlogged homes or in evacuation centres.

As some areas began the cleanup following heavy rain earlier last week, others were newly evacuated on Thursday, and the authorities extended a red weather alert in parts of the Emilia Romagna region, where nearly two dozen rivers had broken their banks.

A mammoth rescue effort is under way after six months' worth of rain fell in 36 hours, with emergency services and the armed forces searching for people stuck in their homes and those who died.

The latest victim found was a man recovered from a house in Faenza, a picturesque city usually surrounded by green pastures and vineyards, left largely underwater.

"As Italy reels from the worst flooding there in a century, WHO Europe sends condolences for the lives lost," tweeted Mr Hans Kluge, World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for Europe, saying it was "ready to support... as needed".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared images of the disaster with fellow Group of Seven leaders at their summit in Japan, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to tweet that France was "ready to provide every useful help".