At least five people were injured on Thursday when a freak tornado ripped through several towns and villages near Bergamo in northern Italy.
The tornado began its destructive passage at 8.00 on Thursday morning and for the next hour emergency service helplines were jammed with calls from frightened residents in a string of communities reporting damage to property and streets, blackouts and floods.
Local hospitals said five people had to be treated for injuries but stressed that none were in a serious condition.
Dozens of trees were uprooted by the violence of the twister, which whipped the roof of a house in one of the worst-hit towns.
Several other homes had to be evacuated as a precaution after their roofs were damaged.
Rescue workers said they were still assessing the "substantial damage" caused by the tornado.
