Elon Musk’s space exploration company, SpaceX, and Unipol Gruppo have forged a partnership to aid individuals impacted by the devastating floods in northern Italy by facilitating internet connectivity. This collaboration aims to support rescue operations in the affected areas, as announced by the Italian insurance company on Saturday.
The torrential rains have wreaked havoc on the eastern side of Emilia–Romagna, leading to the loss of 14 lives, causing extensive damage worth billions of euros, and severely affecting the agricultural sector. The catastrophic situation has forced approximately 36,000 people to evacuate their homes, leaving many others in flooded regions without electricity. Unfortunately, rescue efforts have been hindered by relentless adverse weather conditions and disruptions in communication networks, including phone lines.
In this cooperative endeavor, Unipol has acquired the satellite internet terminals of SpaceX’s Starlink service and will make them accessible to rescuers, hospitals, and the general public. SpaceX has strategically positioned its satellites to prioritize the Emilia-Romagna region, ensuring enhanced coverage and connectivity.
Expressing his commitment to assisting Italy and the flood-affected populace, Elon Musk stated, “SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) are delighted to contribute in any way possible to aid Italy and its people during this difficult time.”
