A tornado with 250 km/h winds killed six, injured 750 and destroyed 90% of Rio Bonito do Iguacu, Brazil, creating a “war scene” of devastation
RIO BONITO DO IGUACU: A tornado killed at least six people and injured around 750 as it tore through a southern Brazilian town, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
The Friday evening twister flipped vehicles and wrecked buildings across Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, a Parana state town of 14,000 residents.
Ferocious winds reaching 250 km per hour lasted mere minutes but left the town largely obliterated, with aerial photos showing widespread debris and destruction.
Traumatised residents spent Saturday sifting through rubble to salvage belongings from their demolished homes.
“I arrived home and found myself without a roof over my head,” said 51-year-old Nereu Sabadini, who was working outside town during the tornado. “I’m homeless and rebuilding will take some time.”
Authorities confirmed 90% of the town sustained damage from the catastrophic storm.
“It destroyed everything. It destroyed the town, houses, schools. What will become of us?” asked Roselei Dalcandon, standing beside the rubble that was once her shop.
The Parana state government reported at least six fatalities, while firefighters and medical personnel treated 750 injured individuals, including nine serious cases.
One person remains missing, though officials warned the number could increase as rescue operations continue.
Rescue teams combed through debris piles searching for survivors or additional victims, with a shelter established in a nearby community.
“It is a war scene,” said Fernando Schunig, head of the Parana Civil Defense agency.
Schunig warned of likely additional fatalities since the tornado struck the town centre directly.
“When these events hit an urban area, the damage is major. It is very lethal,” he explained.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with affected residents and dispatched a team of ministers and disaster relief experts to the town.
Weather authorities issued dangerous storm alerts for all of Parana plus Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states.
Other cities across Parana and neighbouring states experienced strong winds, storms and hail from the violent weather system.
Southern Brazil suffered severe flooding last year that killed more than 200 people and displaced two million in Rio Grande do Sul state.
That event ranked among Brazil’s worst recent natural disasters, with experts attributing partial responsibility to global warming. – AFP
