The Italian city of Florence has been hit by a violent hail storm which destroyed terrace bars in a central square and injured five people when a primary school collapsed in an outlying village.

It also flooded the market of San Lorenzo in the historic centre

Other outlying areas were struck by a whirlwind.

Officials ordered the closure of many of the city’s museums including the famous Uffizi Gallery, to check for damage to any of the works of art.