European storms kill 12 and leave 13 injured

At least 12 people have been killed in severe storms in Europe.

The spate of fatalities prompted the authorities in Germany to put air rescue services on high alert.

Two girls, aged four and eight, were killed when sudden strong winds toppled trees late in the Lavant Valley of southern Austria.

Officials said 13 people were injured, two of them seriously. Many of the victims were holidaymakers visiting the tourist region.

In Lower Austria, three women were killed when lightning struck a tree near the central town of Gaming, causing it to fall over.

Fierce storms also killed at least seven people in France and Italy on Thursday while five were killed on Corsica.

Germany’s national weather service DWD warned of “extremely abundant, prolonged rain” along the edge of the Alps that could see up to 140 litres of water per square metre (5.5ins) fall over a 48-hour period that could cause flooding and severe damage .