Storms in Europe claim lives, cause serious damage

(Patria) - At least five people have died in severe weather, storms, and heavy rains that hit Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy, according to initial data released on Sunday by local authorities.

Three lost their lives when a tree fell on their car in the Aub department, in northeastern France, on Saturday evening.

The three deceased are between 70 and 80 years old, and a fourth elderly person in the car is in critical condition, police announced.

In Switzerland, severe weather in the canton of Ticino, in the southeast of the country, claimed two lives in a landslide caused by heavy rains, police confirmed.

The identification of the bodies is ongoing, and the local daily newspaper La Regione reports that they are tourists from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The bodies of the deceased were found by rescuers.

About 70 people were evacuated from a campsite in the village of Mogno, known for its ultramodern church by Swiss architect Mario Botta. Mogno is also located in the canton of Ticino.

The Maggia Valley, known for its beauty, is cut off and inaccessible, and residents are without electricity. Much of Switzerland has been hit by violent storms and rainfall since Saturday afternoon.

Dramatic images of overflowing rivers and tributaries are coming from the Aosta Valley in northern Italy.

In western Switzerland, the Rhone and its tributaries overflowed due to heavy rains and melting snow. Numerous roads are closed, and hundreds of people have been evacuated, authorities in Valais announced.

🇮🇹:#Italy .The #Noasca (Turin) waterfall look dengerous after heavy rainfall with major flood . 29 June,2024#floods #RainyDayAR2024 #Italia

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— Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) June 29, 2024

The picturesque town of Visp, near Zermatt, was severely hit by the storm and rains. The streets of this town, at the foot of the famous Matterhorn mountain peak, were flooded and muddy for the second time, after the flood on June 21.

Authorities canceled all outdoor events, and thousands of fans could not celebrate the victory of the Swiss national football team against Italy in the European Championship last night.

In Germany, a match between Germany and Denmark had to be interrupted due to a strong storm, heavy rain, and hail.

Last weekend, four people died in storms in Switzerland.