In brief
A violent tornado struck the village of Pomas in southwestern France, injuring 39 residents and demolishing about 300 homes. Hospitals were overwhelmed with 15 patients and two critical cases, including a pregnant woman. The storm’s ferocity also disrupted the third stage of the Vuelta a España, forcing cyclists to take shelter and canceling the race. Power outages and broader weather alerts highlighted the region’s vulnerability to extreme events. The incident underscores the growing frequency of severe weather in Europe.
A violent tornado tore through the village of Pomas in southwestern France, injuring 39 people and demolishing about 300 homes. Authorities report 15 residents were taken to hospitals with two in critical condition, including a pregnant woman whose shelter collapsed during the storm.
Emergency services deployed over 120 workers to the area, as winds reached 117 km/h (73 mph). Residents described the tornado as a swirling “huge red and yellow chimney,” with even centuries-old stone castles partially destroyed.
The storm’s impact extended beyond the village. The third stage of the Vuelta a España cycle race was cancelled because a hailstorm forced riders to seek shelter 15 km from the finish line. Roughly 2,800 homes across ten villages lost power as part of a broader orange alert for thunderstorms in France’s southwest.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned of widespread flight delays and cancellations at major airports. Despite the damage, officials noted no missing persons, lowering the casualty count to 39, with 15 treated in hospitals.
France usually faces several dozen tornadoes each year, and the spike follows a semester of record heatwaves and wildfires that scorched the region’s forests.
A picture taken by AFP shows residents walking past a toppled tree after the tornado struck, illustrating the extent of the devastation.
