At least 8 dead, thousands evacuated in N Italy floods

May 17, ROME (Xinhua) -- At least eight people have died and 12,000 were forced to flee their homes on Tuesday and Wednesday after torrential rainfall caused flash floods in and around Italy's Emilia-Romagna region.

Stefano Bonaccini, president of the region, said he feared the death toll would rise as reports of missing persons were pouring in amid rescue efforts aimed at removing residents stuck on the high fl