Tornado causes major damage in southwestern French village
A tornado tore through the village of Pomas in France's Aude region late on Monday, damaging most of its homes and injuring dozens of people. Authorities described the event as rare and traumatic for the community.
A powerful tornado swept through the village of Pomas in the Aude department of southwestern France late on Monday, leaving significant destruction in its wake. Local authorities reported that dozens of people were injured, while a large number of buildings sustained serious damage.
Widespread damage to homes
According to officials, roughly 300 of the village's approximately 500 houses were damaged by the storm. Of even greater concern, up to 100 of those damaged homes may no longer be safe for residents to live in, authorities said.
A rare and traumatic event
Officials described the tornado as an exceptionally rare occurrence for the region, also highlighting the psychological toll it has taken on the local community. Residents were confronted overnight with a sudden and destructive natural event that caused extensive material losses in a very short period of time.
No further details have been released regarding the condition of the injured or the full extent of the material damage. Local and national authorities continue to assess the situation and provide support to affected residents.
