Baby killed by giant hailstone in Spain

A 20-month-old baby has died after being hit by a four-inch hailstone during a fierce storm in northeastern Spain.

The girl was with her parents in the town of La Bisbal d'Emporda in the Catalonia region when she was struck by the hailstone on Tuesday, mayor Carme Vall told Spanish Television, the national broadcaster.

The girl died of severe head trauma in hospital on Wednesday morning, Murcia Today reported.

The hailstone that struck her was four inches (10cm) in diameter, the news website added.

The name or nationality of the girl have not yet been reported.

More than 20 people were treated for injuries after the storm, which was the strongest of its kind in Catalonia for 20 years, according to the region's government.

Ms Vall, the mayor, said many buildings and cars were damaged.

Heavy flash storms have been forecast for eastern Spain after severe heatwaves during the summer, both on land and in the Mediterranean Sea.