Powerful downdraft flips aircraft at Italian airport in dramatic weather event

A sudden and violent weather system struck Forlì Airport in northern Italy, leaving a trail of destruction in just ten minutes. The intense downdraft, characterized by wind speeds of approximately 120 kilometers per hour, caught airport authorities and aircraft operators off-guard, resulting in multiple small planes being overturned on the runway.

The powerful winds, known as a downburst, proved forceful enough to displace several aircraft from their parking positions by several meters. In addition to the overturned planes, the severe weather caused damage to airport terminal facilities and aircraft hangars located in the vicinity of the runway.

Video footage of the dramatic event captured the moment small aircraft were tossed about like toys by the extreme winds. The footage subsequently circulated widely on social media platforms, drawing widespread attention to the rare meteorological phenomenon and its destructive impact on airport operations.

The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of severe weather systems and their potential to cause substantial damage to aviation infrastructure within a remarkably short timeframe. Airport authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the total extent of damage or whether any injuries were sustained during the event.