Four people have died late on Sunday after a tourist boat capsized in a storm on Italy’s Lake Maggiore, due to a sudden whirlwind.
People were celebrating a birthday on the 16-metre-long vessel in the Lombardy region on Sunday.
At least 19 survivors managed to swim to shore without serious injury, the fire brigade and media reported.
Italian firefighters said there were 25 people on board, adding that the wreck was found by its divers at a depth of 16 metres.
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 water, 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.’
