France tornado damage: Scary videos show twister ripping through towns; dozens injured, hundreds of homes affected

A tornado struck southwestern France on Monday, leaving 41 people injured and causing extensive damage to hundreds of homes, according to local authorities.

The village of Pomas, home to around 1,000 people, was among the worst-affected areas, with approximately 300 homes damaged, according to a France 24 report.

Several properties suffered significant roof damage, with some losing entire sections of their roofs in the storm.

More than 120 emergency responders were sent to the affected area to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.

Fifteen people were taken to hospitals for treatment. Among those injured was a pregnant woman who was hurt after her home collapsed, according to her husband, who spoke to AFP.

France’s national weather service, Meteo-France, reported that winds reached speeds of up to 117 kilometers per hour (73 mph) in the nearby village of Arquettes-en-Val.

Ojas Jaiswal is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, currently working with the US Desk, where he covers a wide spectrum of American sports and global news developments. From high-intensity NFL moments on the field to the latest off-court NBA storylines, he specializes in delivering engaging, audience-driven stories that blend factual accuracy with compelling narratives. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University, Ojas brings over two years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, he worked with EssentiallySports, a leading digital sports media platform catering to American sports audiences, where he contributed across multiple editorial and engagement-focused roles. He also interned with Times Network at the Sports Desk, producing articles and video content across diverse sports, ranging from Formula 1 to football. Known for his commitment to factual and accurate reporting, Ojas was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Editing during his college years. Beyond sports journalism, he closely follows international affairs and global developments, while also exploring documentaries from different cultures and regions around the world. A lifelong football enthusiast, Ojas has admired Lionel Messi since childhood and continues to draw inspiration from the football icon’s journey and legacy. Read More