The aftermath of a fatal tornado in Paris displays the destruction caused by the twister that ravaged the outskirts of the French capital recently.
A person lost their life, and nine others suffered serious injuries when the tornado hit an area just ten miles north of Paris on Monday evening. The Val d’Oise region bore the brunt of the weather event, leading to a significant emergency response as residents were evacuated and sought refuge in a gym.
Dramatic footage captured the moment three cranes collapsed, one after the other, as the tornado wreaked havoc in the area. Approximately 80 firefighters, 50 police officers, and 20 ambulance service members were mobilized, with four individuals in critical condition.
Among the casualties was a 23-year-old construction worker who tragically lost their life at a construction site. The powerful winds also ripped roofs off buildings, as authorities described the tornado as “sudden” and “unusually intense.” Cleanup efforts have commenced as the local community grapples with the aftermath.
The Keraunos observatory, a French weather monitoring organization, noted that the sudden gusts appeared to stem from a “supercell-type storm,” characterized by a rotating updraft of circulating air capable of sustaining severe weather conditions like large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez shared on social media his support for the affected individuals and emergency responders, expressing condolences for the deceased victim.
The catastrophic weather event on Monday resulted in homes being destroyed, cranes collapsing, roofs torn off buildings, and dozens seeking shelter in a nearby gym. More than 80 firefighters rushed to assist terrified residents, while Philippe Court, the Prefect of Val-d’Oise, addressed the nation about the situation. Video footage captured the swirling winds and the harrowing moment the cranes toppled, leaving residents in shock.