A tornado has damaged hundreds of homes and injured several people in southwestern France. Emergency responders are securing buildings at risk of collapse, while thousands of households were temporarily without power.
Image: Christian Dussaud/Bestimage/IMAGO
A tornado has damaged hundreds of homes in southwestern France. According to authorities, more than 35 people were injured. In the Aude department, near the Spanish border, the tornado ripped off rooftops and caused walls to collapse. Numerous roads had to be closed, and air traffic in southern France was temporarily restricted.
Image: Idriss Bigou-Gilles/AFP
In the town of Pomas, which was particularly hard hit and is located about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southwest of Montpellier, rescue workers are searching damaged houses for injured people. Firefighters are on the scene to secure buildings at risk of collapse. The prefecture has set up emergency shelters for the affected residents.
Image: Idriss Bigou-Gilles/AFP
Residents and volunteers are assessing the storm damage in Pomas. In this small village, about 100 homes were severely damaged by the storm; 10 other villages were also affected. In the Aude department, up to 2,800 households were temporarily without power, and several roads were closed due to fallen branches.
Image: Idriss Bigou-Gilles/AFP
The severe weather also disrupted air travel. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot wrote on X that there were disruptions, particularly at the airports in Nice, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Toulouse, as well as at the Paris airports. In addition, the third stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race taking place in the Aude area had to be canceled before the finish due to a severe hailstorm.
Image: Idriss Bigou-Gilles/AFP
Tornadoes are not uncommon in France; on average, several dozen are recorded each year. The current storm developed after the intense heat wave that had swept across large parts of southern France this week gave way to severe thunderstorms.
Image: Cyrille Kaldor/AFP
The tornado has caused significant damage to hundreds of buildings in the region. According to authorities, the roofs of numerous homes were almost completely torn off and many windows were shattered. The exact extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Image: Idriss Bigou-Gilles/AFP6 images1 | 66 imageshttps://p.dw.com/p/5JMTV
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