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Death toll in Italy storms rises to nine
ROME, Oct 30, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The death toll from fierce storms
battering Italy has risen to nine, civil protection authorities said Tuesday,
as wild weather caused schools to close and trapped dozens of tourists in the
north of the country.
With ferocious storms lashing the country, winds reached up to 180
kilometres an hour (110 mph) in some areas, toppling trees and causing
flooding.
Five people were confirmed dead on Monday.
In addition, authorities Tuesday reported a woman died when her home was
engulfed by a mudslide and rocks in the northern region of Trentino, a man
was killed in the northeastern region of Veneto when by a falling tree, and a
firefighter died during relief operations in South Tyrol.
Elsewhere, a man was killed while kitesurfing on Monday afternoon near
the town of Cattolica on the Adriatic coast, with the local press saying
strong winds had blown his board into the rocks.
A man is also missing at sea off Calabria in the southwest, after his
boat was discovered empty washed up on the rocks along the coast.
Italian media have also reported that around 170 people, tourists and
hotel staff, were stranded by heavy snowfall at the Stelvio Pass on the Swiss
border.
In the northern, canal-ringed city of Venice, rain-soaked tourists were
barred from St. Mark’s Square on Monday as local authorities said the “acqua
alta” (high water) peaked at 156 centimetres (61 inches).
The waters have only topped 150 centimetres five times before in
recorded history.
Genoa’s airport is set to remain closed until 1300 GMT as authorities
clear the runways of detritus carried by the heavy rains, wind and tides.
Schools in the city are also closed for the day, with Rome and several
other regions also halting classes due to the weather.
BSS/AFP/IJ/1522 hrs