Four light aircraft were reportedly tossed around and overturned by powerful winds as severe storms swept across northern Italy, with dramatic footage capturing the planes being blown across a runway.
The incident occurred at Forlì Airport in the Emilia-Romagna region after a powerful cyclone brought winds of around 120km/h. One aircraft was reportedly blown off course while landing, while three other planes that were parked on the ground were also pushed and flipped by the extreme gusts.
Footage from the airport showed the small aircraft being violently rocked by the strong winds, with some eventually ending up on their sides or completely overturned. The dramatic scenes highlighted the force of the storm, which caused widespread disruption across the region.
Forlì Airport was temporarily closed for about an hour as authorities dealt with the damage. Parts of a hangar wall were reportedly torn away, while the roof of the arrivals terminal also suffered damage during the storm.
After the winds eased, firefighters and airport emergency crews moved in to inspect the affected area and assess the condition of the aircraft. Teams also checked for potential hazards, including fuel leaks, while the remaining planes were secured to prevent further damage.
The storm was not limited to Forlì, with several areas across northern Italy, including Liguria, Lombardy, Tuscany and the Italian Alps, also experiencing severe weather. Heavy rain, lightning, flooding and strong winds caused significant disruption.
In Chiavari, Liguria, streets were transformed into waterways as floodwaters became deep enough for vehicles to appear as though they were floating. Elsewhere, 250 people were evacuated from a riverside campsite in Bergamo after shifting rock and mud near a river raised safety concerns.
The extreme weather comes amid a wider spell of powerful storms across parts of Europe, with heavy rain and strong winds also affecting areas of Poland as well as popular Spanish destinations including Mallorca and Valencia.
