Italy battles extreme storms and wildfires over 24-hour period

In the past 24 hours Italy has battled wildfires in the south, while violent storms wreaked havoc in the north. Authorities in Sicily closed part of the motorway and temporarily shut Palermo airport after temperatures reached 47C, triggering wildfires across the island. Hundreds of firefighters from other regions were due to arrive to help douse the flames. Meanwhile, in the north, Lombardy and Milan faced violent storms. Torrential rain and gales left a wake of destruction, pulling roofs off houses and uprooting trees in several regions. Seven people have reportedly died across the country. The climate crisis is supercharging extreme weather around the world, leading to more frequent and more deadly disasters Storms and wildfires kill seven in Italy as extreme weather continues