Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix cancelled due to floods

Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been called off after a rising death toll caused by major flooding in northern Italy.

Earliest reports say at least three people have died amid widespread destruction and landslides. Some communities have been warned to move to higher ground.

The Imola race was scheduled to be the sixth round and the first swing through Europe of the global nine-month championship.

It was part of a triple-header on successive weekends in Italy, Monaco and Spain.

But after discussions between local authorities and race organisers F1 bosses announced Wednesday the decision was taken because “it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans and it was the right and responsible thing to do”

The move came after Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini called for the race to be postponed to help emergency services.

Fierce rains have made many roads impassable and some cars left entirely submerged.

Although forecasters have predicted the downpour would ease on Thursday it is expected to return with fresh venom on Friday and Saturday when the F1 practice and qualifying schedules would be in full flow.

The race would have expected to attract more than 100,000 fans over three days.

In a joint statement the FIA President, local mayor and regional president said: “It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.”

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected.

“The decision that has been taken is the right one for everyone in