The Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix which was scheduled to be held at Imola this weekend (May 19-21) has been cancelled. The organisers confirmed the same with the official release mentioning it is “not possible to safely hold the event.” Notably, there is heavy flooding in the region which is why the decision to call of the event has been taken. Five people died due to flooding after a excessive downpour across the northern Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

“Following discussions between Formula 1, the President of the FIA, the competent authorities – including the relevant Ministers, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the President of Emilia-Romagna Region, the Mayor of the City and the promoter – the decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend at Imola,” an official statement from Formula 1 read.

“The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region. It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time,” it added.

Meanwhile, the civil protection agency has said that 14 rivers have broken their banks which has resulted in 23 towns getting flooded. The agency has also also requested “maximum caution” with mayors having issued a warning to people to try and remain on high ground till normalcy resumes.

Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed how the floods affected him personally.

“It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected,” he said.