Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says the death toll from the recent heavy rainfall in Sicily may rise to more than 50. The official figure currently stands at 20, but 30 more people are still missing and hope of finding them alive is now fading.

The rain began on Friday, and was so heavy it caused floods and mudslides in several parts of the island. Worst hit was the eastern port city of Messina, where some 20 centimetres of rain fell in a matter of hours, and where houses collapsed and cars were swept away. Hundreds of Sicilians have been left homeless.

Mr Berlusconi will visit the island on Sunday.

Photo of Silvio Berlusconi by Downing Street (flickr)

Photo of flood aftermath by EPA