A tornado struck southwestern France on Monday, leaving 41 people injured and causing extensive damage to hundreds of homes, according to local authorities.
Tornado devastates Pomas village
The village of Pomas, home to around 1,000 people, was among the worst-affected areas, with approximately 300 homes damaged, according to a France 24 report.
Several properties suffered significant roof damage, with some losing entire sections of their roofs in the storm.
More than 120 emergency responders were sent to the affected area to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
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Fifteen people were taken to hospitals for treatment. Among those injured was a pregnant woman who was hurt after her home collapsed, according to her husband, who spoke to AFP.
Severe storms trigger major disruptions
France’s national weather service, Meteo-France, reported that winds reached speeds of up to 117 kilometers per hour (73 mph) in the nearby village of Arquettes-en-Val.
Authorities had issued orange-level storm warnings across large parts of southwestern France as severe weather caused widespread power cuts and major disruptions to transportation.
In the Aude department, organizers were forced to call off the third stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race after a hailstorm sent riders looking for shelter.
Thousands of homes lose power
The storms also caused significant disruption across southern France, with train services delayed, roads closed and flights delayed or cancelled at airports in Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse and even Paris, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said.
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Officials estimated that around 2,800 homes across 10 villages were left without electricity following the severe weather.
France typically records several dozen tornadoes each year. However, Meteo-France said it remains uncertain whether climate change is influencing how frequently tornadoes occur or how intense they become.
