Tornado Devastates French Village, Injuring 41 and Damaging 300 Homes

A devastating tornado tore through the village of Pomas in the Aude department of southern France on Monday afternoon, leaving 41 people injured and causing widespread damage to around 300 homes. The severe weather event struck the community, which has a population of about 1,000, around 5:20 PM.

By 10:30 PM, local authorities reported that 41 individuals had been treated at a victim reception center, with 15 being transported to a hospital for further care. Among the injured was a pregnant woman who was hurt when her house collapsed. Her husband told AFP photographers at the scene that she was buried by a falling wall but was protected by her sofa. Gendarmerie confirmed the incident, stating she was rescued from the debris.

The tornado's path of destruction left a significant mark on Pomas, highlighting the destructive power of such natural phenomena. Emergency services were quickly mobilized to assist the affected residents and assess the damage. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events.

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41 people taken care of and who passed through the victim reception post, including 15 people evacuated to a hospital center.