Father and Son Killed After Car Falls into Sinkhole During Severe Flooding in Northern Italy

Leone and Francesco Nardon were driving into the northern Italian town of Valdagno in Vicenza

A father and his adult son tragically lost their lives after their car was swallowed by a sinkhole during heavy flooding in Valdagno, located in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The victims, identified as Leone Nardon, 64, and his 21-year-old son Francesco Nardon, were driving through the area on the evening of Thursday, April 17, when the road collapsed around 8:00 p.m. local time.

The deadly incident took place amid widespread heavy rainfall and intense weather conditions that battered the region. While authorities have not confirmed the purpose of their travel during the storm, early reports suggest that Leone and Francesco may have been volunteering to assist others during the emergency.

Leone and Francesco Nardon were driving into the northern Italian town of Valdagno in Vicenza when the ground beneath them gave way

Concern grew when the two did not return home by 2:00 a.m. on Friday, April 18. Their family alerted the police, prompting a search operation. Leone’s body was found the following morning, approximately six miles from where the road had given way, suggesting he was swept away by powerful floodwaters. Francesco’s body was discovered closer to the submerged vehicle, entangled in nearby vegetation, indicating he may have tried to escape after the collapse but was overcome by the rising water.

Regional president Luca Zaia described the event as a “tragedy” and extended his condolences to the victims’ loved ones. He urged residents to exercise extreme caution around embankments and bridges, emphasizing that even normally stable structures may be unsafe in such extreme conditions.

Leone and Francesco Nardon were driving to help with the flood efforts

Francesco, a promising engineering student at the University of Modena, was also a member of the Band Cornedo Vicentino. The band honored him with a heartfelt tribute, recalling his dedication and passion for music despite his university commitments. “Francesco had been with us a little over three years, but since the beginning, he had been an example of dedication and generosity,” the tribute read.

Leone Nardon was a respected businessman in the local community and the owner of an industrial automation and robotics company based in Valdagno.