Rome -- The head of the Italian Civil Protection announced on Saturday that the country's death toll from the mudslides on the island of Sicily rose to 21.

According to Guido Bertolaso, about 30 people were still missing in the mudslides, which took place after heavy rains struck Sicily.

One of the worst-hit areas was Messina which is located along the strait separating Sicily from mainland Italy. The mudslides engulfed roads and a number of the towns near Messina were accessible only by sea or on foot.

The Italian government had already declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. Fire brigades and the Italian army also launched rescue operations.