TORNADO STRIKES SOUTHERN FRANCE, INJURING 41 AND DAMAGING HOMES

A tornado struck the Aude region in southern France on Monday evening, according to local authorities. Official figures confirmed 41 people were injured, of whom 15 were taken to hospital. Local administration recorded wind gusts of up to 117 kilometres per hour, with the strongest winds hitting the commune of Pomas. More than 300 homes sustained damage in the affected area.

The severe weather caused significant disruption to infrastructure across the region. By 7.30pm on Monday, 2,800 households in Aude remained without electricity. The tornado occurred as intense heat that had characterised the summer gave way to thunderstorms across France.

Local authorities assessed damage and coordinated emergency response in the immediate aftermath. The extent of structural damage to homes and ongoing efforts to restore power supplies remained under review.