A ship carrying at the least 20 vacationers and crew members has overturned in a whirlwind on Italy's Lake Maggiore.

At least two individuals have died and one different stays lacking, in line with Italian media stories.

Italy's fireplace service mentioned 19 individuals have been saved, with many reportedly managing to swim to shore.

Sky Italia reported that British passengers had been aboard the vessel.

Rescue operations are persevering with with divers, boats and a helicopter noticed on the scene.

Firefighter video confirmed items of wooden floating within the lake as a helicopter flew overhead.

The whirlwind was a part of a storm system that hit the northern area of Lombardy on Sunday night, forcing delays on the Malpensa airport.