Chinese passengers stranded in Rome as Italy suspends all flights to and from China Italy's government is the first to declare a state of emergency to prevent the spread of the deadly SARS-like virus after two cases were confirmed in Rome. Italian authorities have also suspended all flights to and from China. Some Chinese passengers have been able to get the last flights home before the suspension went into effect while others will have to find alternative indirect routes back to China. The state of emergency, a fairly common procedure after natural disasters like earthquakes or floods, gives regional authorities special powers and cuts red tape. IMAGES