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Tornado causes mayhem, dozens wounded in Portugal's Algarve

17 November 2012 04:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Strong winds fuelled by a tornado tore through the town of Lagoa Friday afternoon causing at least 12 injuries, two of whom are thought to be in a serious condition, according to Portugal's Civil Protection Authority, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Extensive damage to trees and cars was also reported in Lagoa and the popular tourist towns of Silves and Carvoeiro were also affected following a tornado that hit the Algarve region.

The commander of Silves firefighters told Lusa news agency that, "half the town was destroyed" following the bad weather.

The passage of the tornado, with strong gusts of wind caused a trail of destruction, with reports of windows and roofs ripped off homes, schools damaged and fallen trees and traffic signs.

Cars and camper vans were flipped over, trees were uprooted and extensive damage was reported to homes in Lagoa where hundreds of people have been left homeless by the freak incident, according to local media reports.

Civil Protection officer Joao Verde confirmed that there were "some serious injuries, including cases of people who had to be freed from their vehicles."

No fatalities have been confirmed to date, although among the dozen or so wounded two people were rushed to hospitals in Portimao and Faro in a critical condition.