One person has died and at least four people have been seriously injured after a tornado struck an area just 10 miles north of Paris.
Three cranes came crashing down as the freak weather[1] event hit the Val d’Oise region this evening, with dramatic footage showing the moment they plummeted to the ground. Roofs being torn off by the powerful winds, which were unleashed by what authorities described as a “sudden” and “unusually intense” tornado.
A major emergency response saw 80 firefighters, 50 police officers and 20 members of the ambulance service dispatched throughout residential neighbourhoods as they dealt with the impact of falling debris.
Roads and railway lines leading out of the area north of Paris remain closed tonight as the clean-up effort continues. The tornado struck around 5.45pm local time (4.45pm BST).
French interior minister Laurent Nunez wrote on X (formerly Twitter[2]): “A sudden and unusually intense tornado episode struck several towns in Vald’Oise, causing the death of one person and seriously injuring several others. I am closely monitoring the situation and express my support for the elected officials, the emergency services on site, and the affected residents. I offer my condolences to the loved ones of the deceased victim.”
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