Tornado devastates French village of Pomas, dozens injured

France was hit by a sudden tornado on Tuesday that tore through the village of Pomas in the Aude department, flattening roofs and injuring at least fifteen people. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, deploying more than 120 workers to clear debris and tend to the wounded. The storm also forced the cancellation of the third stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race, which had been passing through the area.

The damage on the ground

Local officials estimate that about 300 homes suffered serious damage, many losing their roofs entirely. A pregnant resident was among those hurt when her house collapsed on her.

"Her house collapsed on her," her husband told reporters.

Fifteen of the injured were taken to hospital, including the expectant mother.

Wider impact and response

The national weather service Meteo-France recorded wind speeds of up to 117 kilometres per hour in nearby Arquettes-en-Val. The storm triggered power outages for roughly 2,800 homes across ten villages and led to transport chaos, with Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirming delays and cancellations at airports in Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse and even Paris. Trains were delayed and several roadways were closed as authorities worked to restore safety.

Looking ahead

Recovery efforts will focus on restoring electricity, repairing homes and clearing the transport network. While France averages several dozen tornadoes each year, experts say the link between climate change and the frequency or intensity of such events remains uncertain. Authorities are likely to review emergency protocols and consider additional safeguards for vulnerable communities as the region rebuilds.