Hailstorm damages over 100 hectares of crops in L'Aquila, Italy

A violent hailstorm struck the L'Aquila province of Abruzzo on Friday night around 20:00, damaging more than 100 hectares of farmland. The worst‑hit areas include the western side of Capitignano, parts of the Montereale district and the eastern municipalities of Barisciano, San Pio delle Camere and Navelli.

Cold​iretti L'Aquila’s first assessment reports that crops such as spelt, wheat, legumes (especially chickpeas) and potatoes suffered the greatest losses. The organisation cautioned that a precise economic estimate will take several days. It also warned that the sector is already strained by rising diesel and agro‑chemical costs and volatile farm‑gate prices, urging stronger risk‑management tools and more affordable insurance. “Every year we see more intense weather; it is essential to make insurance accessible,” said Massimiliano Aloisio, president of Coldiretti Navelli.