Tornado Devastates Villages in Southern France, Leaving Dozens Injured

On the morning of 25 August, a powerful tornado swept across several villages in southern France, causing widespread structural damage, injuring more than 40 people and leaving thousands of residents without power.

Residents of the small village of Verzeille watched in horror as the tornado formed directly below a looming thunderstorm. An on‑scene eyewitness filmed the event, noting wind speeds that surpassed 100 kilometres per hour (about 62 mph). The storm’s force ripped roofs off houses in the nearby hamlet of Pomas and uprooted numerous trees.

Local authorities reported that roughly 2,800 households remained without electricity as of Monday evening. In addition, several main roads were blocked, hampering the delivery of emergency services and supplies.

Emergency crews from the national meteorological agency and local fire departments responded immediately, setting up temporary shelters and arranging medical care for the injured. The incident highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the region, prompting calls for enhanced preparedness measures.

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