Violent storm in Milan leaves a woman dead after a tree falls on her

A strong storm that hit the Lombardy region, including Milan and its surroundings, has left one woman dead as a result of a tree falling during the storm on Sunday. According to emergency services, a 63-year-old woman, who was returning from a walk in Robecchetto con Induno, was hit by a tree that collapsed due to the intensity of the wind. The incident occurred on July 6, and despite the attempts of the firefighters, the victim could not be rescued alive. The authorities also reported multiple people affected by material damage: at least two people were injured in the same event, and firefighters responded to nearly 50 incidents, including fallen trees, basement flooding, and signage torn down by the wind. The storm also caused the closure of public transport lines. The M2 metro line was interrupted between Vimodrone and Cernusco, while Trenord reported damage to the railway infrastructure, affecting service to Como, Lecco and Sondrio. The storm occurred in the context of an intense prior heat wave, which left several regions on red alert due to extreme temperatures. The rain and strong winds hit just at the end of this heat episode, following expected patterns in extreme events that combine heat and instability.

Context and Risks

Meteorology experts warn that this type of event is becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. During severe storms like this, trees release roots and fall easily, which poses a serious threat to pedestrians, vehicles, and infrastructure.