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IN PHOTOS: Tornado ravages southern France village, injures 39; hundreds of homes damaged

Updated On: 25 August, 2026 09:57 PM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

A powerful tornado tore through the small village of Pomas in southern France, injuring 39 people and leaving widespread destruction, local authorities said on Tuesday. (PICS/ AFP)

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The tornado ripped through the village, home to around 1,000 people, reducing houses to rubble and damaging or destroying numerous vehicles. (PICS/ AFP)
The tornado ripped through the village, home to around 1,000 people, reducing houses to rubble and damaging or destroying numerous vehicles. (PICS/ AFP)
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Around 300 homes were damaged, prompting authorities to open emergency accommodation centres for displaced residents
Around 300 homes were damaged, prompting authorities to open emergency accommodation centres for displaced residents
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The Aude prefecture said around 1,400 households remained without electricity on Tuesday morning as rescue and recovery operations continued
The Aude prefecture said around 1,400 households remained without electricity on Tuesday morning as rescue and recovery operations continued
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The village was under a thunderstorm alert when the tornado struck. Wind gusts of more than 100 kmph (62 mph) were recorded at a nearby meteorological station
The village was under a thunderstorm alert when the tornado struck. Wind gusts of more than 100 kmph (62 mph) were recorded at a nearby meteorological station
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Severe weather also disrupted the Vuelta a Espana cycling race in southern France on Monday, with the third stage halted because of hail
Severe weather also disrupted the Vuelta a Espana cycling race in southern France on Monday, with the third stage halted because of hail
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According to Meteo France, the country’s national weather agency, mainland France experiences a few dozen tornadoes each year, although most are considered low-intensity events
According to Meteo France, the country’s national weather agency, mainland France experiences a few dozen tornadoes each year, although most are considered low-intensity events
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The tornado swept through France’s Aude department late Monday afternoon, with the village of Pomas bearing the brunt of the storm as walls collapsed, roofs were ripped off and trees uprooted.
The tornado swept through France’s Aude department late Monday afternoon, with the village of Pomas bearing the brunt of the storm as walls collapsed, roofs were ripped off and trees uprooted.

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