Powerful tornado drama captured on Venice beach

The twister formed over the sea in the marina of Chioggia at around 8.30am, before coming ashore on a sandy beach normally popular with bathers, La Nuova Venezia reported.

Once on dry land, the twister destroyed two local establishments – a children's playground and a sunlounger and umbrella rental store.

Two people reportedly sustained minor injuries as the strong winds sent loungers and parasols flying down the beach. Fortunately, the toado petered out after just one minute before it could wreak any further damage.

A video of the toado, uploaded to the citizen joualism website YouReporter, can be seen below.

In the aftermath of the incident, local residents flocked to the aid of the damaged businesses, helping them tidy and repair their properties.

“I'm touched by the immediate solidarity of people who have offered their help,” Chioggia mayor, Giuseppe Casson, told La Nuova Venezia.

Devastating: the toado destroyed a local playground. Photo: YouReporter

This is not the first time a toado has struck near Venice. Last July, one man was killed as a toado ripped the roofs of fifty homes in the northeaste region.