At least 17 people have reportedly been killed in Italy after a storm hit the island of Sardinia. The Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta has called it a 'national tragedy'.

Many areas are still out of reach of rescue services, after Cyclone Cleopatra caused rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away cars and flooding homes.

A meeting of the Italian Cabinet has been called to discuss the emergency.

A young child and policeman are reportedly among those killed. A weather alert has also been extended to other regions.

Prime Minister Letta says the Cabinet has been convened to allow immediate release of funds needed to tackle the aftermath.

Through the night rescuers searched for survivors, with reports saying some 350 people were saved.

Electricity and telephone services have also been severely disrupted.

One local mayor has described the storm as "apocalyptic" with water levels reaching 3 metres high in some places.