Three people have been killed after a mudslide triggered by torrential rain in Sicily destroyed several houses, Italian authorities said today.

The victims -- all found in the village of Saponara near the city of Messina -- were a seven-year-old boy and a father and son aged 55 and 25. Another woman is missing.

Emergency workers spent the night digging after the mudslide.

"The area where the tragedy took place wasn't considered at risk," said Nicola Venuto, the mayor of Saponara.

About 20 rail passengers were also slightly injured when a train was derailed by falling rocks on the line in the southern region of Calabria.

The Aeolian Islands, a popular tourist destination, had been cut off from the mainland since Monday but ferry services resumed on Wednesday.

Heavy rain also pounded the eastern coast of Sardinia, and schools were closed in the Nuoro region and in part of the island's main town Cagliari.