Mini-tornado damages nearly 200 homes in southwestern France

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA)—Nearly 200 homes were damaged on Saturday when a mini-tornado struck the town of Mios in southwestern France, local media reported.

According to ICI Gironde, a violent gust of wind lasting several seconds hit the area around midday, ripping off roofs, collapsing walls, and uprooting trees.

No injuries have been reported so far, according to initial assessments.

Emergency services said around 150 firefighters have been deployed to assist affected residents.

The municipality of Mios has opened an emergency reception center for victims, and local residents are also assisting with relief efforts by covering damaged roofs, clearing fallen trees, and cleaning debris.

Videos shared on social media showed trees collapsing onto a roadway, garden chairs being blown over in the yard of a house, and various objects flying through the air during the storm.