Tornado injures dozens, damages hundreds of homes in southwestern French village

A tornado struck the village of Pomas in southwestern France on Monday, injuring 41 people and damaging around 300 homes, according to the Aude prefecture. The storm, which hit around 5:20 p.m. local time, tore roofs from buildings and left a trail of destruction in the commune near Carcassonne .
Authorities reported that 2,800 households across 10 villages were without power by Monday evening, with several roads blocked by fallen trees. About 100 firefighters were deployed to secure the area and assist residents . The prefecture set up emergency shelters for those displaced.
Five of the injured were hospitalized, including a pregnant woman who was rescued after a wall collapsed on her home, according to gendarmerie statements cited by AFP. Her condition and that of her unborn child were not immediately known .
The tornado originated from a supercell thunderstorm, confirmed by Météo Languedoc and the French Observatory for Storms and Tornadoes, Keraunos . Wind speeds reached up to 117 km/h, according to Le Monde .
The severe weather disrupted transportation across southern France, causing flight delays, road closures, and the cancellation of the third stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race in the Aude department . Videos and photos shared on social media showed a large funnel-shaped vortex as violent gusts uprooted vegetation and scattered debris.
Pomas, a village of about 1,000 residents, bore the brunt of the damage, with many homes losing roofs and facades. Rescue teams, including specialists in debris removal, remained on-site late into the evening . The Aude prefecture stated that most injuries were minor, with victims treated at a triage center before hospitalization where necessary.
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![[lalibre] Un village dans le sud de la France dévasté par une impressionnante tornade : 41 blessés et 300 habitations touchées (VIDEO) #Europe](https://media.mstdn.social/cache/preview_cards/images/107/159/918/original/4359a0f2f3edc504.jpg)


