According to the authorities, at least six people died in heavy rain and flooding in the area around the Italian Adriatic city of Ancona.
In addition, three other people were missing in the province of the same name, which is located in the Marche region, as the Ansa news agency reported on Friday night, citing civil protection.
The Ancona provincial government said the flooding was a result of the afternoon's persistent rains.
Marche President Francesco Acquaroli wrote on Facebook that the "very serious meteorological crisis" in the region is a cause of extreme concern.
On Thursday, civil protection called on residents of the coastal town of Senigallia north of Ancona to go to higher-lying areas in view of the flooding.