As big as tennis balls
In the north of Italy, many Dutch holidaymakers suffered from very bad weather from Monday to Tuesday. Large hailstones have severely damaged numerous cars there. Some cars are a total loss.
After severe weather with heavy hail in Italy, the Dutch emergency centers Eurocross, ANWB and SOS International received ‘extremely many’ reports of damage. The ANWB says that so far at least two hundred people have reported damage to their car. In some cases, there is also damage to the caravan on top. SOS International says it has received about 150 messages from Dutch people whose car, camper or caravan is so badly damaged that it no longer drives.
Eurocross does not yet know exactly how many damage reports have been received. Moreover, the numbers can still increase considerably. All emergency centers call the situation very extreme. Holidaymakers at Lake Garda in Italy suffered from hailstorms and thunderstorms in the night from Monday to Tuesday. Some reports come from holidaymakers in Switzerland, Slovenia and Austria. Cars in particular have been damaged. A Eurocross spokeswoman says she has not yet seen any reports of personal injury. SOS International says it has heard from two people that they were slightly injured by the hailstones.
Eurocross says it will first look at how the Dutch can best be helped. “Because there are so many reports, there is a good chance that local authorities will have to salvage the cars.” SOS International also says that the vehicles must be repatriated. “Some are a total loss.” Replacement transport is being sought for these people, but the supply is limited. SOS International says local businesses are currently being overrun by tourists with damage. “If it is not possible to offer replacement transport, we have to look at other solutions.” According to her, the use of buses to the Netherlands would be an option. According to SOS, the number of cars and caravans that are damaged, but can still drive, is ‘many times greater’.
The emergency center says it can only help people who need acute help at the moment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it has not received any requests for consular assistance from Dutch nationals in Italy.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl