Floods batter northern Italy 'like an earthquake'

Nine people died and thousands were evacuated from their homes as torrential rain ravaged Italy's northern Emilia-Romagna region, triggering floods and landslides.

Some areas had half their average annual rainfall in just 36 hours, causing rivers to burst their banks, sending water cascading through towns and submerging thousands of acres of farmland.

Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, which is close to many of the worst-hit areas, was called off in an effort to relieve pressure on emergency services. A Bruce Springsteen concert in Ferrara later on Thursday was set to go ahead.