Mudslide smashes through Italian town of Bardonecchia

A mudslide has been caught on camera as it dramatically ploughed through a street in an Italian town.

The rush of water, mud and debris narrowly missed people as it smashed through a gate and brought down trees.

It happened on Sunday in Bardonecchia, near Turin, after heavy rain caused a mountain stream to burst its banks.

Cars and streets were covered in thick sludge and firefighters had to rescue six people from an overturned camper, but authorities searched overnight and said no one was missing.

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Workers were cleaning up the mess on Monday and were set to check on the levels of the nearby Frejus River.

Posting on Facebook, Piedmont regional governor Alberto Cirio said the mudslide had caused significant damage, while Italy’s deputy prime minister Antonio Tajani said the government would provide support for the clean up.

Bardonecchia, situated at 1,300m, is a popular base for winter mountain sports and summer hiking and a number of streams, rivers and tributaries feed in to the town.

The mudslide happened the same day it was celebrating its patron feast day, St. Hipolito, with activities and fireworks planned.