On September 10, 2021, a devastating tornado struck the Italian island of Pantelleria, located south of Sicily, which caused serious damage to buildings and killed 2 people. Nine people were injured, 4 of them are in serious condition.
Among the casualties is an off-duty firefighter who was driving his car when it was swept by a strong wind.
The tornado tore off roofs and overturned at least 6 cars. One building was hit by a car tossed into the air.
According to eyewitnesses, the tornado destroyed the coastal road in a matter of seconds.
"It was a truly apocalyptic scene," a paramedic on the scene told the Italian newspaper la Repubblica.
"At the moment, the death of two people has been confirmed, but the search continues, and we are making sure that there are no missing." The tornado came from the sea and in a few seconds tore apart houses and cars that were driving along the coastal road."
Italian news agency ANSA reported that the dead were identified as residents of the island - a firefighter working on the island and an 86-year-old man.
The victims were in different vehicles, which were among the roughly 10 vehicles that were capsized in mid-air by the force of the tornado, ANSA reported.