After jumping into the lake: Husband of Italy’s minister goes missing

Viterbo/Rome (Italy) – At almost 40 degrees, he jumped into a lake to cool off, then disappeared without a trace. Since Saturday afternoon, rescue workers have been searching for Luigi Cavallari (84), the husband of Italian Family Minister Eugenia Roccella (72), at Lake Vico north of Rome.

According to the rescue workers, the 84-year-old jumped from a small boat into the boat on Saturday afternoon Water. At first he showed up again and complained of feeling unwell. Cavallari then went under. The boat had now drifted slightly and apparently could no longer reach him.

15 degree temperature difference

According to information from the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica”, a temperature shock could have triggered the emergency. According to the report, there was a difference of about 15 degrees between the air temperature of around 38 degrees and the water in the lake. La Repubblica also reports that there may have been a third person on the boat alongside Roccella.

Hardly any visibility under water

The fire brigade, carabinieri and financial police have been searching for him with a large contingent since Saturday Missing. Divers, helicopters, sonar devices and remote-controlled underwater robots scour the lake. The emergency services speak of extremely difficult conditions: visibility is almost zero just a few meters below the water surface. In addition, there are muddy waters and dense plant growth on the lake bed, which make the divers’ mission even more difficult.

Hate comments online

As the search continues, hateful comments spread across social media. Numerous users commented on the complex rescue operation and personally attacked Family Minister Roccella and her relatives.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned the comments. On X, she described the comments as “vile and inhumane.” There are boundaries that should not be crossed, even in political disputes.