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By Reuters
MILAN (Reuters) – Two families were killed in Sicily when the torrential rains and high winds lashed Italy caused a river to burst its banks, drowning the nine people inside.
A general view shows a partially submerged house, where according to local media in the river Rivicia, in Casteldaccia, near Palermo, Italy, November 4, 2018. REUTERS / Guglielmo Mangiapane / MANILA BULLETIN
Rushing water filled the villa in Casteldaccia in the province of Palermo in moments, wiping out the families who were spending Saturday night there.
A father and his daughter escaped harm because they had left the house to do some shopping while a third person climbed a tree to survive.
The tragedy brings the number of people killed in this weekend to at least 12 after three other people died in their cars when hit by torrents of water.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte spoke of "an immense tragedy" during a visit on Sunday to affected areas in Sicily.
He said that a meeting would be convened this week to declare a state of emergency.
Heavy rains and gale-force winds have battered Italy for several days, uprooting millions of trees and cutting off villages and roads.
Italy's Civil Protection Agency said it was caused by the wave of bad weather at 17, excluding the fatalities in Sicily.
Some of the worst damage has been recorded in the northern regions of Trentino and Veneto.
On Saturday the governor of Veneto, Luca Zaia, said storm in the region amounted to at least a billion euros.
Italy, Italy Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said 250 million euros ($ 285 million) had already been earmarked for relief.
He said the government would be asking for special EU funds.
Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister, said it would cost him 40 billion euros.
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