A tornado has claimed one life and left at least four individuals severely injured following its impact just 10 miles north of Paris. The Val d’Oise region in France was struck by the sudden and unusually intense weather event, resulting in the collapse of three cranes and the tearing off of roofs. The tragic incident unfolded as the powerful winds wreaked havoc in the area.
Emergency responders, including 80 firefighters, 50 police officers, and 20 ambulance service members, swiftly mobilized to assist residents in the affected neighborhoods of Ermont. Among the casualties is a 23-year-old construction worker who lost his life while working at a construction site hit by the tornado, as confirmed by the prefect of Val-d’Oise.
Roads and railway lines surrounding the affected region remain closed as cleanup operations continue late into the evening. The tornado struck at approximately 5:45 pm local time, causing widespread destruction.
Experts from the Keraunos observatory, a French meteorological organization specializing in monitoring tornadoes and severe weather events, noted that the sudden gales may have originated from a “supercell-type storm.” These storms feature rotating updrafts of circulating air capable of sustaining themselves for extended periods, leading to severe conditions such as large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez took to Twitter to express his concern, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and extending support to the affected communities and emergency personnel on the ground. The minister also conveyed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased victim.
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