ROME, Aug  18, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Two people died Thursday as bad weather 
toppled trees and tore off roofs in Italy's Tuscany region, while in Venice 
strong winds caused fragments of St Mark's belltower to fall.

The civil protection agency prepared emergency accommodation in schools and 
gyms for those forced from their homes after violent winds and rains pummelled 
the area from the coast to tourist hotspot Florence, killing a man in Lucca and 
a woman in Carrara, the Tuscan region said.

Both were hit by falling trees, local media reports said.

Four people were injured by toppling trees at the seaside camping site of 
Marina di Massa, while four others were rushed to hospital in the mediaeval 
town of Barga after the car they were travelling in was hit by a torn-off roof, 
according to local news site Toscana in Diretta.

 In a rare break from the searing heat, storms were felt across Italy this 
week.

 High winds sweeping through St Mark's Square in Venice on Thursday 
dislodged fragments from its famous belltower, according to the AGI news agency.

 The city of Milan meanwhile ordered public parks to be closed on Friday and 
urged residents to avoid leaving their cars under trees.
 
 Experts say climate change driven by human activity is boosting the 
intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts 
and wildfires.