More than 400 mm of rain fell in a few hours.

At least 10 people have died and several remain missing after flash floods hit Italy's eastern Marche region on Thursday, civil protection authorities announced.

The deaths occurred in the province of Ancona, with four people killed in Ostra, one in Trecastelli, one in Barbara and one in Bettolelle, reports news agency ANSA.

Several people - including two children - were still unaccounted for on Friday, according to Italian media reports.

Flash floods in Italy’s eastern #Marche region last night leave 7 people dead in the province of Ancona, with several still missing on Friday. This video, by TgLa7, shows the village of Cantiano after more than 400 mm of rain fell in a few hours.pic.twitter.com/9g1gEyCZnV

— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) September 16, 2022

Streets in the village of Cantiano turned into rivers, as torrents of muddy water swept away cars and reached the first floor of houses, with the mayor appealing to residents to stay calm and remain indoors.

The flooding, part of a wave of violent storms hitting regions across Italy, has led to the closure of many schools in Le Marche on Friday.

*This article was updated on Friday after the death toll rose from seven to nine.