At least three people died when their car was swept into a flooded underpass as heavy rain lashed north-central Italy, firefighters said today.

Fire department engineer Enrico Mencagli said the vehicle was discovered early today by divers in Prato, an industrial city north of Florence.

He said a second car was discovered in the same underpass, but it was not immediately clear if there was anyone inside.

He said the three victims were of Chinese origin. Prato is home to Italy's garment industry which employs large numbers of Chinese immigrants.

The storm yesterday and early today flooded streets, collapsed at least one house and downed trees and power lines in much of coastal Liguria and Tuscany.

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