Travel warning issued for Italy, Austria and other European countries as 24 dead in floods

British holidaymakers are being warned by the government about a mammoth flood wave sweeping Central Europe, with several people having died. Torrential rain has unleashed floods and led to the evacuation of around a thousand residents in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Meanwhile, this spell of extreme weather, which started a week ago, has resulted in 24 fatalities across Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Austria. The UK government is now advising travellers about 'severe flooding' badly affecting the Emilia-Romagna region, cautioning that there are 'risks' near riverbanks, in green spaces hit by floods, and near stagnant water from the flooding.

Advice issued includes: "Check with your tour operator or accommodation provider before you travel and follow the instructions of local authorities." Over in Central Europe, as floodwaters begin to recede, the extent of destruction left by the unprecedented downpours is coming to light.

READ MORE: 'Lethal risks' to London as 'radical action' needed to stop water levels being too low in 15 years

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan announced that another casualty was reported on Thursday (September 19) in the country's worst affected north east, raising the death toll to five, reports the Manchester Evening News. Tragically, Poland and Romania each recorded seven deaths, with Austria seeing five casualties.

Italy's vice minister for transport and infrastructure, Galeazzo Bignami, announced at a news conference on Thursday that two individuals were reported missing in Bagnocavallo, located in the Ravenna province. He also revealed that nearly 800 residents in Ravenna and almost 200 in the Bologna province, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, had to spend the night in shelters, schools and sports centres due to local rivers overflowing. Train services were halted and schools were shut down, with residents being advised to avoid travel and work from home where possible.

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