Rome (CNN) At least 10 people died Monday in flooding caused by heavy rain in the southern Italian region of Calabria, a spokesman for the Italian Civil Protection told CNN.

Among the dead are six men and four women, the agency said. A further six people were injured, including a child, the spokesman said.

Rescue operations started immediately after a small stream near the village of Civita overflowed at 5:30 p.m. local time, he said.

The operations are still underway in the flooded canyon area, as at least three more people remain missing. So far, 23 people have been rescued.

Rescue teams work at the gorge Monday in Pollino National Park.

More than a hundred emergency rescuers are searching for survivors, the spokesman said, adding that the number of people missing is unknown.

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