Deadly flood-water ‘tsunami’ sweeps through Italian towns

Rescue operation ongoing in central region of Marche after exceptional' extreme weather event

At least nine people have died and four are missing after dramatic storms provoked severe flooding in Italy's central Marche region, forcing politicians to finally raise the topic of the climate crisis a week before general elections.

Dozens of others are reported to have saved themselves by climbing on to rooftops and trees, in scenes described as being akin to an apocalypse". Fifty people are being treated in hospital.