ROME – Multiple fatalities have been reported as a result of the extreme weather conditions that have affected various parts of Italy throughout the week, sources say. 

 In total, sixteen people have been confirmed dead. The casualties have mainly been caused by falling trees and huge flooding.

 Six regions of Italy were put on red alert on Monday due to a surge of storms, rain and gales.

 Several yachts have been destroyed in Rapallo, including one owned by the Berlusconi family. Waves of over 10 metres were reported in the area, which eventually broke down the barricades set up to protect the harbour from storms such as these.  Emergency teams, assisted by members of the public have begun clean-up operations. "We are fortunate that, in the midst of this disaster, no-one was injured," Rapallo's mayor Carlo Bagnasco said. Down the coastline, the Genoa port has been closed.

 Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Trentino-Alto Adige and Abruzzo have all been heavily affected by adverse weather conditions. In some places, gusts of wind reached 100 kilometres per hour, causing various damage. Falling trees injured two people in Milan and disrupted the Metro B line and rail links towards Ostia in Rome.

  A church has collapsed in Manduria, Taranto because of the extreme conditions, while high water levels have halted certain public transport services in Venice. The water has risen to 156 cm in the city, leaving many inhabitants stranded in their homes. Basilica San Marco has also sustained damage, as the Piazza was badly flooded.

 On Monday, 465 separate operations were carried out by Italy’s Fire Brigade, 180 of those happening in Tuscany. Poor conditions were expected to have died down, but strong winds this week could see similar weather returning as early as Thursday.

pm