On Saturday, the Italian insurance Unipol Gruppo (UNPI.MI) announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to connect flood victims in northern Italy to the Internet, aiding rescue efforts.
Torrential rains in eastern Emilia-Romagna killed 14 people, damaged billions of euros, and impacted agriculture hard.
Thirty-six thousand people were displaced, while those in waterlogged areas lost power. In addition, weather and phone line issues hinder rescue efforts.
Under the agreement, Unipol will provide rescuers, hospitals, and the public with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet terminals. SpaceX’s satellites prioritize Emilia-Romagna and boost coverage.
“SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla are happy to help Italy and the people affected by the flooding,” Musk said.
