Storms sweep Germany leaving at least four dead
Date: 12-Jul-02
Country: GERMANY
Public transport was severely disrupted in Berlin as winds gusting at up to 150 km (93 miles) an hour brought trees and branches crashing down.
Two children died and 12 were injured, two seriously, while camping on an island in Wannsee lake in Berlin, a police spokesman said.
RTL television news said they were crushed in their tents by falling trees.
A group of children from New York, all related to firemen killed in the September 11 attacks on the United States, visited the island earlier in the day as part of an exchange programme but were not caught up in the storm, the police spokesman said.
Two other people were killed in northern Berlin by falling trees and debris, police said.
RTL showed pictures of hurricane-like winds wreaking havoc at outdoor cafes in the capital's central Zoo district. Dozens of people were reported injured by flying debris and glass.
Berlin's main Tegel airport was closed to traffic for some time and four flights had to be diverted to other airports. Train services between Berlin and the northern port city of Hamburg were suspended.
Bad weather was also reported in other regions. German television said emergency services in Hamburg received around 600 calls for assistance. There were several reports of lightning setting fire to buildings.