Shocking video footage capturing a deadly tornado that claimed the life of an elderly British woman has surfaced online.
The video depicts a terrifying tornado wreaking havoc at a popular holiday campsite in the Algarve region, causing over twenty injuries.
The 85-year-old victim was staying at the HolaCamp site near Albufeira when the unexpected weather phenomenon struck, hurling debris across the area and prompting panicked evacuations.
Witnesses captured the twister forming in the distance before it tore through the Portuguese town, leaving destruction in its wake.
Tourists, including numerous British nationals, fled as the powerful tornado swept through the campsite and a nearby hotel, causing extensive damage.
Authorities reported 28 injuries and an initial missing person, later identified as the deceased British woman found beneath the rubble.
Portugal’s meteorological agency indicated a high likelihood of the tornado occurrence, supported by images of flattened buildings and demolished homes.
Footage from the scene showed shocked campers amidst the wreckage, struggling to comprehend the devastation caused by the storm.
Officials stated that the extreme wind event struck at 10:07 am, potentially intensified by Storm Claudia, which had affected the UK earlier.
Nineteen individuals sustained injuries at the Eden Hotel, while two were severely hurt at the campsite, with the British victim discovered trapped under a collapsed bungalow. The injured comprised Portuguese, British, and Spanish nationals of various ages.
Portugal’s president expressed solidarity with the victim’s family, and the mayor of Albufeira described the aftermath as truly devastating after inspecting the hardest-hit areas.
The mayor extended condolences to the family of the 85-year-old British victim, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Storm Claudia continued causing chaos in Britain, leading to significant incidents due to severe flooding, heavy rainfall, and dramatic rescue operations amid submerged vehicles on flooded roads.