Furniture Blown Across St Mark's Square as Strong Winds Hit Venice

Thunderstorms brought heavy rain and strong winds that reached 115 kilometers per hour, in Venice, Italy, on Thursday August 18, according to local news reports.

Footage posted to Twitter by user Simone Carcano shows lightning flashes and wind up-ending chairs and tables in St Mark’s Square, while people take shelter from the torrential downpour under the arches of the arcade.

The report added the high winds detached pieces of brick from St Mark’s Bell Tower. The President of the Veneto Region Luca Zaia declared a state of regional emergency.

The Italian Civil Protection Department issued severe weather alerts for most of the country in response to Thursday’s thunderstorm. Credit: Simone Carcano via Storyful

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