On Saturday, a rare tornado struck the northern Italian city of Cremona, bringing with it a severe hailstorm that injured dozens of residents and left a trail of destruction across the historic center.
Emergency response and injuries
Italy’s fire brigade reported more than 500 emergency calls within hours of the storm. Emergency services treated over forty people at once, discharging most of the injured while four trauma patients remain hospitalized. One person is still under observation, according to Francesca Co, director of Cremona’s emergency services.
Damage to historic landmarks
The city’s famed cathedral suffered significant damage when a spire fell from one of its towers, altering the most recognizable landmark in Cremona. Ten churches, including the cathedral, experienced broken windows, shattered skylights and other structural harm. The “violin forests” that supply wood for the city’s world‑renowned instrument makers are also being inspected for damage.
Impact on homes and businesses
Hundreds of trees were uprooted, and many homes lost roofs or were struck by flying debris. Twelve families were evacuated from damaged houses. The hailstorm damaged an estimated 10,000 vehicles and heavily damaged several barns and low‑lying roadways, prompting temporary closures for safety inspections.
Local festival disrupted
Cremona was hosting a local festival celebrating its rich cultural heritage when the storm hit. Pavilions were torn apart and multiple attendees were injured, adding to the strain on emergency responders.
Authorities’ next steps
Following the event, the fire brigade and civil defense conducted building inspections, while the forestry department began assessing the condition of the surrounding woodlands. The city government estimates the total cost of repairs will run into the millions of euros.
Although tornadoes are uncommon in Italy and no watches or warnings were issued, the incident underscores the growing frequency of extreme weather across Europe, as the continent endures its fifth heatwave of the summer.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
