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'Wartime situation': Tornado ravages French village

A tornado of rare intensity devastated a village in southern France, causing widespread destruction and leaving residents in shock Tuesday, with the mayor describing the aftermath as resembling "wartime."

'Wartime situation': Tornado ravages French village

On Tuesday, a rare and intense tornado devastated the village of Pomas in southern France, leaving residents in shock and causing widespread destruction. Mayor Herve Gine compared the aftermath to a wartime situation, highlighting the extensive damage to the village's infrastructure. Thirty-nine people were injured, including two severely, and 17 were hospitalized, but there were no fatalities.

The tornado tore down walls, uprooted trees, and damaged or destroyed numerous homes, public buildings, and other structures. Approximately 300 out of 476 homes in the village were damaged, and many residents lost everything. Power outages affected around 7,250 households across the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to assist those affected, with some people temporarily staying in the community hall converted into a shelter.

The tornado's impact underscores the significant consequences of extreme weather events in the context of climate change.

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