Tornado smashes into troubled Italian steel plant A powerful tornado has rolled in off the sea smashing into the troubled Ilva steel plant in southern Italy. One worker is missing. He is reported to have been operating a crane which was swept out to sea, three others on the crane were rescued. Divers have mounted a search for the missing man. Around 20 people have been injured. Damage to the plant - the biggest steel mill in Europe - was extensive and comes in the wake of an environmental scandal at the works. Some production has been stopped with the government set to pass legislation to force a clean up at the steel mill which has been blamed for abnormally high levels of cancer and respiratory diseases in the region. The company denies it is to blame. In the midst of the row it has also been faced with the threat of permanent closure due to alleged corruption. It's reported the storm struck a nearby school and six children were slightly injured. Extreme weather has also affected other parts of the country with rising waters flooding parts of the historic heart of Venice. More about: Italy, Natural catastrophe, Steel industry, Tornado