DEVASTATING storms have left at least 30 dead across Italy after parts of the country were hit by falling trees and flash floods.
Nine people from two families were among the dead when fierce storms caused a river to burst its banks yesterday following days of intense downpours.
The dead included one-year-old Rachele Giordano, who drowned along with her 15-year-old brother, a three-year-old cousin, her mum, grandparents and two aunties in Casteldaccio, near Palermo, on the island of Sicily.
Her dad, Giuseppe, survived the tragedy because he was walking the family dog when the torrent was unleashed, while another relative escaped by climbing a tree.
Devastated Giuseppe broke down on Italian TV, saying: ''They are gone, all gone, my family's all gone. I've lost everything.
"The house is full of mud and water. I've lost two of my children and my wife.''
Officials said the bungalow was submerged after it was swallowed up by waters from the nearby River Milicia after a four hour torrential downpour.
Firefighters later recovered all the bodies and last night the local prosecutor was investigating whether building regulations had been flouted by building on floodplain.
Local mayor Giovanni Di Giacinto said: ''The house was under investigation since 2008.
"It should have been demolished. It shouldn't have been built where it was.''
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte spoke of "an immense tragedy" during a visit to the island, as he flew over the worst-hit areas by helicopter and met survivors of the families.
TV pictures from the scene showed widespread devastation with cars and debris littering the streets of the village.
A sea of mud surrounded house where the two families died while a chair floated past the front gates.
Three other people were killed when their cars were swept away elsewhere on the island.
Last week 17 people died after fierce storms including two tornadoes swept across the country.
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Italian PM Giuseppe Conte flew over the worst hit areas by chopper and met survivors of the families hit by the tragedy.
He said: ''I met members of the two families who had survived.
"To be hit by a wall of mud and water in your own home is an immense tragedy.
''There are communities that are still isolated and the priority is to help to them and get things working as quickly as possible.''
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