A tornado tears through a village in southern France, wrecking 300 homes

A powerful tornado tore through the small village of Pomas in southern France, leaving a trail of destruction. The twister damaged about 300 homes and destroyed several vehicles in the village, which has a population of around 1,000.

Authorities confirmed that 39 people sustained injuries. Of those, 20 were hospitalized, but officials stated that none were in critical condition as of Tuesday evening. Rescue teams continued to search through the wreckage on Tuesday, though no residents were reported missing.

Emergency accommodation centers have been opened to assist residents who lost their homes. The local school in Pomas suffered partial damage, but authorities assured that children would be able to attend classes in nearby municipalities when the school year begins in September.

The tornado struck on Monday amid a thunderstorm alert in the Aude department. Wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometers per hour were recorded nearby. The severe weather also caused the third stage of the Vuelta a España bike race, held in southern France, to be halted due to hail.

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The Pomas school was partially destroyed, but assured residents that the town's children would be able to attend classes in surrounding municipalities starting on the first day of the school year in September.