France: Tornado ravages small village

A violent tornado struck the French village of Pomas, causing widespread destruction and injuries. The storm resulted in 39 people being injured, with 15 requiring hospital treatment and two in critical condition. Many homes were damaged, with over 300 properties severely impacted. Emergency services responded en masse, with 120 workers dispatched to assist.

The village, situated near Carcassonne, suffered extensive damage, with half of it reduced to rubble. Local resident Pierre likened the tornado's appearance to a massive red and yellow chimney. The catastrophic event disrupted the third stage of the Vuelta a España cycle race, forcing participants to take shelter due to hail. Approximately 2,800 homes across 10 villages lost power.

Authorities reported no missing persons, though the toll remains at 39. Shocked villagers shared harrowing accounts of flying debris and collapsed roofs. Residents described being terrified, fearing for their lives. France had issued an orange alert for thunderstorms across the south-west, which had already resulted in power outages and transport issues.

Eyewitness footage captured the tornado's powerful vortex looming over the village. Images showed uprooted trees, damaged vehicles, and debris from destroyed homes. Airports in Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, and north of Paris experienced flight delays and cancellations. France typically experiences several dozen tornadoes annually, according to the national weather service Météo-France.

This incident occurred amidst an unprecedented heatwave and wildfires across Europe, with the southwest region of France particularly affected, with over 42,000 hectares burned in one of the largest forest fires since World War II.