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DEVASTATING storms have left at least 30 dead across Italy after parts of the country were hit by falling trees and flash floods.

Nine people from two families were among the dead when fierce storms caused a river to burst its banks yesterday following days of intense downpours.

A massive wave smashes through windows of restaurant in northern Italy
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A massive wave smashes through windows of restaurant in northern ItalyCredit: Storyful

The dead included one-year-old Rachele Giordano, who drowned along with her 15-year-old brother, a three-year-old cousin, her mum, grandparents and two aunties in Casteldaccio, near Palermo, on the island of Sicily.

Her dad, Giuseppe, survived the tragedy because he was walking the family dog when the torrent was unleashed, while another relative escaped by climbing a tree.

Devastated Giuseppe broke down on Italian TV, saying: ''They are gone, all gone, my family's all gone. I've lost everything.

"The house is full of mud and water. I've lost two of my children and my wife.''

Within a split second the restaurant is overwhelmed
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Within a split second the restaurant is overwhelmedCredit: Storyful
Fallen trees lie on the ground in a mountain wood near Belluno
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Fallen trees lie on the ground in a mountain wood near BellunoCredit: AP:Associated Press
A street is seen during a flooding in Sciacca, Sicily
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A street is seen during a flooding in Sciacca, SicilyCredit: Reuters
A fireman walks on a mud covered path in the aftermath of a flood in Casteldaccia, near Palermo
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A fireman walks on a mud covered path in the aftermath of a flood in Casteldaccia, near PalermoCredit: REUTERS
An image shows water still surrounding a house where almost an entire family was killed by rising floodwater
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An image shows water still surrounding a house where almost an entire family was killed by rising floodwaterCredit: REUTERS
The house where the bodies of nine people were retrieved by fire brigades divers
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The house where the bodies of nine people were retrieved by fire brigades diversCredit: EPA
A damaged car is seen in the aftermath of the flooding of the Milicia river in Casteldaccia, near Palermo
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A damaged car is seen in the aftermath of the flooding of the Milicia river in Casteldaccia, near PalermoCredit: REUTERS

Officials said the bungalow was submerged after it was swallowed up by waters from the nearby River Milicia after a four hour torrential downpour.

Firefighters later recovered all the bodies and last night the local prosecutor was investigating whether building regulations had been flouted by building on floodplain.

Local mayor Giovanni Di Giacinto said: ''The house was under investigation since 2008.

"It should have been demolished. It shouldn't have been built where it was.''

Firefighters search for a man who went missing after floodwaters swept away a car near the Gorgo Del Drago river, near the Sicilian town of Corleone
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Firefighters search for a man who went missing after floodwaters swept away a car near the Gorgo Del Drago river, near the Sicilian town of CorleoneCredit: AP:Associated Press
Damaged cars are seen in the aftermath of the flooding of Milicia river in Casteldaccia, near Palermo, Italy, November 4, 2018
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Damaged cars are seen in the aftermath of the flooding of Milicia river in Casteldaccia, near Palermo, Italy, November 4, 2018Credit: REUTERS
A police motorcade escorts a hearse transporting the coffin of one of the nine victims, who were killed after a house was hit by flood water and mud, in the district of Cavallaro
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A police motorcade escorts a hearse transporting the coffin of one of the nine victims, who were killed after a house was hit by flood water and mud, in the district of CavallaroCredit: EPA

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte spoke of "an immense tragedy" during a visit to the island, as he flew over the worst-hit areas by helicopter and met survivors of the families.

TV pictures from the scene showed widespread devastation with cars and debris littering the streets of the village.

A sea of mud surrounded house where the two families died while a chair floated past the front gates.

Three other people were killed when their cars were swept away elsewhere on the island.

Last week 17 people died after fierce storms including two tornadoes swept across the country.

Fallen trees float along the Piave river  near Belluno, in the north east
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Fallen trees float along the Piave river  near Belluno, in the north eastCredit: AP:Associated Press
The governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, second from right, checks the devastation left behind after storms in the Veneto region in the north east
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The governor of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, second from right, checks the devastation left behind after storms in the Veneto region in the north eastCredit: AP:Associated Press

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Italian PM Giuseppe Conte flew over the worst hit areas by chopper and met survivors of the families hit by the tragedy.

He said: ''I met members of the two families who had survived.

";To be hit by a wall of mud and water in your own home is an immense tragedy.

''There are communities that are still isolated and the priority is to help to them and get things working as quickly as possible.''

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