Three children died, and seven people were rescued Friday after a boat capsized in Lake Geneva as a "sudden and severe" storm passed through southern Wisconsin, according to news reports.

Authorities said a storm suddenly moved across the area Friday afternoon, "rapidly producing hazardous boating conditions," as reported by NBC Chicago. A recreational boat with six adults and four children was trying to get safely to shore, but was "overwhelmed by severe wind and waves, took on water, capsized and subsequently sank."

Rescuers saved seven of the 10, but three children were still missing. After an intensive search, the three missing children were recovered from the lake.

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"Lifesaving measures were administered immediately at the scene and continued by emergency medical personnel during transit to local medical facilities. Despite these exhaustive efforts, all three children were later pronounced deceased," the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency said.

All four children were wearing life jackets at the time of the tragedy, officials told NBC Chicago. The incident is under investigation.

(MORE: Man killed by direct lightning strike at Florida beach)

Storms caused other destruction in the area on Friday, too. Many injuries were reported in Wisconsin’s Walworth County after the storm toppled trees, knocked down power lines and damaged buildings, said Tom Hausner, undersheriff for the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department, according to The Associated Press.

Wind gusts topped 60 mph in Walworth County on Friday.

Hausner said county authorities received multiple 911 calls reporting damage and people trapped in buildings and seeking help. He said deputies responded immediately but were delayed by downed power lines and trees blocking streets.

“Power lines are all over the place. We are urging people to stay away,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.