Italy: Milan train station loses part of roof as high winds hit north

Milan: A section of roof from Milano Centrale, Milan’s main train station, was blown off on Monday as winds of up to 90 kilometres an hour batter the north Italian city.

Authorities are evaluating the extent of the structural damage and have set up “safe routes” for passengers in and out of the train station, reports news agency ANSA.

The incident occurred as the Milan fire brigade responded to about 100 call-outs on Monday morning due to the high winds in the city and its hinterland.

Many of the interventions relate to removing fallen trees, branches, scaffolding, satellite dishes and roof tiles, with Milan fire fighters also evacuating a kindergarten after its roof blew off.

The city has closed access to public parks and around Castello Sforzesco and Palazzo Reale, with parks and cemeteries also closed in Monza, ANSA reports.

In Milan “it is recommended to avoid travelling if not necessary and, if using private vehicles, to avoid tree-lined avenues and proximity to scaffolding on buildings.”

A 64-year-old man was hospitalised in a serious condition after being hit by a falling tree at Rho near Milan, reports ANSA. A 66-year-old woman with the man at the time of the accident suffered minor injuries.

Firefighters have also responded to dozens of call-outs in the Como area after roofs were ripped off and trees toppled over.

The Piemonte region around Turin is also dealing with strong gusts of wind which led to the wall of a company building to collapse on top of several parked cars where moments earlier two employees had moved a van.