Four Killed as Violent Thunderstorm Sweeps Through Northern Italy

Milan, Italy: Italian authorities say a severe thunderstorm created a torrent of mud and water that swept through a village festival some 60 kilometers (40 miles) north of Venice, killing four people and injuring eight.

The storm Saturday evening sent a torrent of water through the town of Refrontolo, where dozens of people were gathered for a summer festival. The water swept away cars and knocked down trees. Video images showed areas still flooded Sunday with cars overturned inside ravines, half submerged in water.

Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia called the storm "an authentic tragedy." He said the torrent arrived without warning in the town, which was about a kilometer (half-mile) downstream of the force of the storm.

Italy's president Giorgio Napolitano expressed sorrow for the victims.