Tornado and Hailstorm Devastate Cremona: 43 Injured, 10 Churches Damaged

Cremona bears the deep scars of a devastating tornado and hailstorm that swept through the city yesterday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in a mere 10 minutes. The severe weather event prompted a hundred interventions by firefighters and mobilized civil protection volunteers. The immediate aftermath revealed extensive damage, with dozens of homes and buildings losing their roofs, forcing the evacuation of at least eight families.

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The majority were discharged, one remains under observation, while four traumatized patients require hospitalization.

The storm's fury was evident in the widespread damage to the city's heritage and infrastructure. At least ten churches sustained damage, including the city's cathedral. Thousands of trees were uprooted, and an estimated 10,000 vehicles were battered by the intense hail. The Duomo and the town hall, whose civic tower partially collapsed, stand as symbols of the historic center's vulnerability, still littered with debris despite ongoing cleanup efforts.

In terms of human impact, the city's hospital treated 43 individuals for injuries sustained during the storm. While most were discharged quickly, four patients required hospitalization due to trauma, including four cases of femur fractures. Hospital officials noted that the emergency services responded swiftly to the influx of patients, managing the situation effectively despite the sudden surge.

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We found ourselves managing over forty arrivals almost simultaneously, and the emergency system responded promptly.

The economic consequences are also significant, with the local fair suffering damage to three of its four pavilions. Numerous businesses and agricultural enterprises reported structural damage. City officials are scheduled to meet with civil protection authorities to assess the full extent of the damage and coordinate recovery efforts.

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We treated mainly traumas, caused by falls or attempts to find shelter from the hail, particularly to the head and hands. In four cases, femur fractures were found.