2 dead as huge storm batters northern Italy
Rome, Jul 25 (EFE).- Two people have died in northern Italy during extreme weather that has provoked gales, hail storms and heavy rainfall, authorities reported on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, a 16-year-old girl was killed by a falling tree at a campsite near Brescia in the northern Lombardy region, while on Monday, a 58-year-old woman was killed when a tree collapsed on her car in Lissone, also in Lombardy.
A huge thunderstorm and strong winds that peaked at 4am have caused major traffic problems in Milan, Mayor Giuseppe Sala said.
“We have had a sleepless night. Just to give you an idea, the wind in the city exceeded 100 kilometers per hour,” Sala said in a video, news agency Ansa reported.
“Since 4am, the city council technicians have been at work coordinating activities in order to limit the damage,” he added.
The storm over Milan caused several injuries linked to falling trees, while also affecting transport and the city’s power grid.
Other northern regions including Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto, were also reporting critical situations due to the overnight storms.
In Veneto’s Zimella, seven people were taken to hospital with injuries after a heavy hailstorm, Ansa reported.
“The hail destroyed roofs, cars, industrial and craftsmen’s facilities,” said Veneto Governor Luca Zaia.
“In the countryside it has wiped out crops, vineyards, orchards and greenhouses. Railway services have been suspended between Brescia and Padua,” Zaia said, according to Ansa.EFE
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