Tornado in France damages homes, injures dozens

A powerful tornado struck the village of Pomas in southwestern France on Monday, causing significant damage and injuries. The town, located in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains and home to approximately 1,000 residents, was the primary area of impact. Up to 300 homes in Pomas were damaged, with trees uprooted and roofs torn off several buildings.

Among the 40 people injured was a pregnant woman whose house collapsed while she was inside; 15 victims were taken to the hospital. Over 120 firefighters and emergency responders were dispatched to assist with cleanup efforts, and emergency shelters were established for those whose homes were affected. Meteo-France, France's national weather service, reported wind speeds of up to 117 kilometers per hour in the nearby village of Arquettes-en-Val.

French authorities had previously issued orange storm alerts for much of the country's southern and southwestern regions. The tornado resulted in power outages for around 2,800 households and caused significant transportation disruptions, with roads closed, trains delayed, and airports at Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, and Toulouse experiencing flight delays and cancellations. The third stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race was also canceled due to a preceding hailstorm.