Man killed as fierce storm lashes Malta

A man was killed by lightning when a fierce storm lashed Malta on Monday, causing widespread damage to the Mediterranean island, dpa reported. The man was in a field, sheltering underneath a tree, when the incident happened during a one-hour thunderstorm. Cars were swept away with water, trees were uprooted and several homes were flooded, according to rescue officials. A man who was swept away by floodwaters in the town of Birkirkara after abandoning his car was later found safe after making it to higher ground. Rescue officials appealed to motorists to avoid low-lying areas throughout the day. The Meteorological Office said the volume of rain in two hours had measured more than the entire monthly average.