Search continues at Lago di Vico for husband of Italian minister Roccella, missing since Saturday

The deputy prefect of the province of Viterbo, Andrea Nino Caputo, described the conditions as particularly difficult. "Es handelt sich aufgrund der Gegebenheiten um eine besonders schwierige Suche", sagte der stellvertretende Präfekt der Provinz Viterbo, Andrea Nino Caputo. "Wir tun alles, was möglich ist," he added. The exact circumstances that led to the man entering the water remain unclear, Caputo indicated, and investigators have not yet determined whether he fell in or went in voluntarily.

Unclear circumstances

According to Italian media reports, the couple had been together on a boat when Cavallari ended up in the water and failed to resurface. "La coppia si trovava insieme a bordo di un'imbarcazione quando l'uomo è finito in acqua, senza più riemergere," one report stated. Italian reporting on Tuesday indicated that the dynamics of the incident remain to be clarified and that it is not yet known whether Cavallari fell accidentally or jumped in voluntarily before disappearing beneath the surface of the lake.

Lago di Vico is a volcanic lake of limited surface area surrounded by dense woodland, features that complicate underwater and surface searches. Caputo did not detail the specific units deployed, but Italian emergency protocols for lake disappearances typically include divers, sonar-equipped vessels, helicopters and coast-guard-style local fire rescue teams. Officials have appealed to the public to keep the shoreline clear to allow rescue craft to operate.

Profile of the missing man and his wife

Roccella has not been publicly identified by Italian authorities in their operational briefings; her presence in news coverage stems from her marriage to the missing man. Italian ministers and parliamentary colleagues have, according to domestic reports, expressed solidarity with the family as the search continues. Officials have asked journalists to respect the privacy of those directly affected while operations are ongoing.

The Italian news agency and major broadcasters have run continuous updates since Saturday afternoon, with brief on-site footage showing rescue boats and diving units working at the lake. Weather conditions at Lago di Vico on the day of the disappearance, and in the days that followed, have been described as complicating visibility below the surface and the safe use of small boats near the wooded shoreline.

Legal and procedural next steps

Italian prosecutors in Viterbo are expected to open a formal file once the search is concluded, in line with standard procedure for unexplained deaths or disappearances at sea or on inland waters. For now, the file remains a missing-person case, and investigators have said no evidence of foul play has so far been disclosed. The lake has been closed to recreational boating during the search.

Caputo on Tuesday urged patience and reiterated that rescuers were working around the clock. He asked media crews to limit interference with the operation and thanked local volunteers who have been supporting the teams with refreshments and logistical help. The prefect's office said it would provide the next operational update once divers complete the planned sector sweep of the lake bed.