Fourteen deaths in 10 days: Italian town probes sudden mortal spike

An unusual surge in deaths has alarmed residents of a small town in central Italy, prompting local authorities to seek answers amid overflowing chapels and an already fragile demographic balance.

The municipality of Castiglion Fiorentino, in Italy’s Tuscany region, recorded an abnormal rise in mortality at the start of the year, according to Mayor Mario Agnelli. In the first nine days of January alone, 14 deaths were registered in the town of about 13,000 people—nearly three times the average recorded so far in 2025, Caliber.Az reports. 

Agnelli said such a concentration of deaths was unprecedented for the town, noting that even during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Castiglion Fiorentino had not experienced a similar situation.

Some of those who died were around 60 years old and appeared to have been in good health. Funeral services have been taking place almost continuously, with chapels and municipal cemeteries struggling to accommodate the number of services.

The cause of the spike has not yet been established. The mayor said there could be a link to seasonal influenza or other viral illnesses, but stressed that official data from the local health authority would be needed to confirm any connection. He added that similar trends appeared to be emerging in other municipalities across the province of Arezzo.

According to municipal officials and two local funeral homes, some of the deceased had been suffering from incurable conditions such as cancer, while others were elderly residents over the age of 80 who died from old age or complications related to seasonal illnesses. These included cases of influenza, accompanied by bronchitis and pneumonia.

Some local sources have suggested that the anomaly may partly reflect natural demographic fluctuations, with periods of higher mortality following earlier population trends. Over the long term, such variations are often balanced out.

However, the situation is compounded by a persistent demographic decline. In 2025, Castiglion Fiorentino recorded just 74 births, compared with 133 deaths. 

By Sabina Mammadli