A tornado tore through the southwestern French village of Pomas, injuring 39 people and damaging an estimated 300 homes. Fifteen residents were taken to hospital, two with critical injuries.
Witnesses speak of a “huge red and yellow chimney” swirling through the streets, destroying half the village and even cracking centuries‑old stone walls.
Strong winds reached 117 km/h (73 mph), ripping roofs from houses and sending debris across the area. The storm also forced the cancellation of a Vuelta a España race stage and left 2,800 homes without electricity.
France’s national weather service notes that the country normally sees several dozen tornadoes a year, but this event, amid an unprecedented summer heatwave, highlights growing climate challenges.
Authorities are working to support the surviving residents and repair the widespread damage.
