A tourist boat capsized in a storm on Italy’s Lake Maggiore in the northern Lombardy region on Sunday, with at least one person confirmed dead, Italian media reported.
Authorities were searching for several people who were still missing after a sudden whirlwind overturned a boat carrying more than 20 tourists and crew, the news agency ANSA said.
Italian firefighters said 19 of the 25 people on board have been saved.
The majority managed to swim ashore between the towns of Lisanza and Piccaluga and were rescued by other boats.
Two people were rushed to hospital in ‘moderately critical’ condition, three were taken in ‘not very critical’ condition and 15 were treated at the scene and did not need further treatment.
Rescue operations are continuing with divers, boats, a helicopter and 118 medical vehicles on the scene.
Firefighter video showed pieces of wood floating in the lake as a helicopter flew overhead.
The whirlwind was part of a storm system that hit Lombardy on Sunday, forcing delays at Malpensa airport.
The alarm was raised after passengers onboard a nearby boat saw people in the wate, La Repubblica reports.
Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy and a popular destination for British tourists.
The President of Lombardy Attilio Fontana said in a statement: ‘Unfortunately there is news of some missing people. A whirlwind caused a very serious accident.
‘The firefighters of the Milan diving unit are at work on the spot together with the guard coast, to the air rescue and to the ambulances of Areu.
‘I am following with apprehension the updates of the rescue teams on the spot which I thank ‘
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