A tornado hit this Friday (10) the island of Pantelleria, in the Italian region of Sicilia, and left at least two dead and nine injured, local authorities reported.
According to rescue teams, the whirlwind would have hit at least 10 cars with full force after a wave of bad weather was recorded in Sicilian territory.
The mayor of Pantelleria, Vincenzo Campo, confirmed that the phenomenon caused the death of two people and left several injured.
“It was certainly a tornado that involved houses and even several cars,” said the Italian politician, who monitors and coordinates the rescue operations. “We are still evaluating what happened.”
In a statement on Facebook, the Civil defense stated that at least four people are in serious condition. However, the number of victims and those affected by the phenomenon may increase, considering that the search for the missing is still ongoing.
At this moment, the local emergency service is prepared, with a helicopter, to intervene from the island of Lampedusa, but is awaiting better weather conditions.
“What presented itself to our eyes was an apocalyptic scene,” reported a rescuer who intervened in the Campobello district.
The tornado appeared offshore and within seconds struck homes and cars traveling along the island's main road. Earlier today, the Civil Defense department had already issued a weather warning for the region. (ANSA)
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