10 October is a day of national mourning for the victims of the flooding and mudslides in and around Messina in Sicily on the night of 1-2 October.

Twenty eight people are known to have died and a further seven people are missing after rivers of mud from nearby hills engulfed their homes, many of which had been built without proper permits. Over 700 people have also been left homeless by the disaster and are now sheltering in Messina hotels.

The government said it would make 10 October a day of national mourning after the local authorities in Sicily complained of inferior treatment compared to the victims of the earthquake in Abruzzo last April and the Viareggio train disaster in June.

On the same day there will be the funeral of the victims at Messina