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30th Oct 2018

Nine dead in Italy as severe weather leaves Venice engulfed in water

Rudi Kinsella

75% of Venice is believed to be submerged in water

A number of deaths have been reported in Italy following serious weather conditions throughout the country.

According to Reuters, two young people died south of Rome and another was killed in Terracina. One man was hit by a falling tree while walking in Naples, and a woman was killed by debris blown off a building in Liguria.

It’s reported that another four people have died as a result of the adverse weather conditions.

As well as this, 75% of the city of Venice is said to be submerged in water.

Venice, which is famous for its canals, is frequently overwhelmed by water in the period from October to December, but the recent flooding has seriously affected the area.

Water is believed to have risen 160 centimetres above sea level at high tide, meaning that at least 77% of the city was under water.

The Italian department which deals with the prediction, prevention and management of exceptional events, the Civil Protection Agency, are managing the situation.

A number of trees were reported uprooted across Rome and many parks and tourist sites were closed, including the Roman Forum and Colosseum.

Further south, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii was also shut as a result of the conditions.