STRONG WINDS BATTER SICILY, INJURING 11

MARSALA, OCTOBER 9 /SRNA/ - Eleven people were injured in a severe storm that hit the Italian island of Sicily, while two tornadoes caused extensive damage in the port city of Marsala, Italian authorities said.

Local media reported that people were injured by powerful wind gusts and debris carried by the storm.

The wind blew one vehicle off the road, and the driver and passenger were taken to hospital with injuries.

The fire service said a powerful tornado damaged buildings, cars, a school and farmland, German news agency DPA reported.

Marsala Mayor Andreana Patti described the damage as resembling "a scene after a war", with homes destroyed and cars thrown to the roadside.

Severe weather also affected other parts of Italy over the past several hours. The island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples was hit by flooding and minor landslides. Heavy rain fell in Naples and the surrounding area, while Rome was also affected by intense rainfall.