Four dead as boat carrying British tourists on Italian lake capsizes

Four people have died after a boat carrying British tourists capsized at Italy’s beauty spot of Lake Maggiore.

A sudden whirlwind overturned the boat in the northern region of Lombardy on Sunday, sending more than 20 tourists and crew members falling into the icy waters of the lake.

Italian firefighters said 19 people, who had celebrated birthdays on the boat, managed to swim to shore or were picked up by boats.

Four people, including a 53-year-old man, were found dead in the water by rescue crews, local television Tgcom24 reported.

“The bodies of four people have been recovered,” said fire service spokesman Luca Cari.

A search and rescue mission was launched with divers, boats and a helicopter after the boat capsized at the lake, which lies between Italy and Switzerland.

The Foreign Office is in contact with local authorities in Italy to provide assistance to the British nationals involved.

The whirlwind that hit the 16-meter boat was part of a storm system that hit Lombardy on Sunday, which also caused delays at Malpensa airport.

The boat was carrying both Italian and foreign tourists, including British and Germans, and quickly sank, reportedly taking one of the victims with it.

Video from firefighters showed a search and rescue helicopter flying over choppy water, where chairs and other debris floated.

According to reports from the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, two were taken to hospital in “moderately critical” condition, three in “not very critical condition.”

Another 15 were treated at the scene and did not require further medical attention, reports said.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are in contact with local authorities in Italy following a boating accident and stand ready to provide consular assistance to any British nationals involved.”

Located on the southern side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second largest lake and a popular tourist destination.