The tornado that hit the Brazilian city of Rio Bonito do Iguacu in the state of Paraná on Friday claimed the lives of at least five people. More than 400 others were injured, local authorities said. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- A tornado hit the Brazilian city of Rio Bonito do Iguacu in the state of Paraná.
- The natural disaster claimed the lives of five people and injured 400.
- Local authorities said that up to 80 percent of the city was destroyed.
- The wind speed reached 180 to 250 kilometers per hour.
- A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for the southern states of Brazil.
“Five deaths confirmed as a result of the tornado,” the civil defense of the state said in a statement to AFP. According to available information up to 80 percent of the city is destroyed. Strong winds overturned several passenger vehicles and damaged apartment buildings.
According to the environmental technology and monitoring system of the state of Paraná, the wind in the city of 14,000 inhabitants reached speed of 180 to 250 kilometers per hour. The governor of Paraná state, Ratinho Júnior, said on Sunday that “security forces are on alert, mobilized and monitoring cities hit by strong storms.”
According to meteorological authorities a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for the entire area – as well as for the southern states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
