Violent storms leave five dead as region ravaged by flooding, landslides and sinkholes

STORMS have killed at least five people with terrifying landslides, falling buildings, flooding and sinkholes destroys all in its path.

A car was crushed by a tree in Palermo, Sicily

Southern and central areas of Italy have been battered with torrential rain this week, with flood warnings in place as the wicked weather causes chaos across the land.

A 40-year-old man died near Paliano in Lazio after a sinkhole opened up following the heavy rain, submerging his car while he was still inside.

Two passengers in the vehicle both managed to free themselves and escaped unharmed.

In nearby Abruzzo, a 51-year-old woman was crushed to death after a wall outside her home collapsed on her following a landslide.

n Tagliacozzo, a 67-year-old man was found drowned in his flooded basement. While a 70-year-old woman also died after water gushed into her home in Benevento, Campania.

The wreckage of the destroyed silver car

A 70-year-old man died from a heart attack while clearing flood debris near his home.

Dramatic pictures from across the country show cars submerged in water and trees flung across streets after being ripped from their roots.

In one shocking case, a silver car was completely crushed after being struck by an uprooted tree in Palermo, Sicily.

A passer-by examining the remains of the vehicle

The silver wreckage was cordoned off by police tape as passers-by stood in awe of the unbelievable damage.

An aerial shot of the ruined silver car

Central provinces of Abruzzo and Lazio were said to have felt the brunt of the torrential conditions.