First Lucifer now Zeus: Terrifying thunder and lightning storms kill four in Italy
FOUR people have died in freak accidents in northern Italy, as violent storms hit the region following a prolonged heatwave.
Italy hit by extreme storms and torrential rain
A 41-year-old Belgian man died when a tree fell on his tent at a summer camp in the Tramontina Valley.
Another tree, uprooted by the powerful winds, fell at festival at Marziai, killing another man.
As thunderstorms hit the Marmolada area and a hiker was fatally struck by lightning and a woman fell to her death after slipping from a flooded trail.
Four people have died in freak accidents in northern Italy as violent storms hit the region
Italy is facing a critical situation as storms have triggered landslides in the North, while in the South citizens face the continuing heatwave and emergency service battle wildfires.
Italian hospitals have seen a 15 per cent spike in emergency admissions from patients suffering both burns, heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
A Belgian man died when a tree fell on his tent at a summer camp in the Tramontina Valley
Huge hail stones and heavy downpours in Italy
Rescuers near the camp site where a 41-year-old Belgian man died
Meteorologists have predicted temperatures of around 40C in the capital Rome and several parts of the country today.
The number of Italian cities on the health ministry’s maximum heat alert has now reached 26.
Italy is facing a critical situation as storms have triggered landslides in the North
Emergency service battle fires in the South of the country
The heatwave and a long rainless period have led to a drought that had hit most of the country and cost the agriculture sector billions.
Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina has said that state of calamity is set to be declared in 11 Italian regions due to the ongoing drought.