BEIJING – A devastating tornado swept through the southern city of Guangzhou, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Aerial photos posted by Chinese state media revealed the extent of the damage, with at least five people dead, 33 injured, and more than 140 buildings damaged.
The images showed block after block of devastation in the hardest-hit areas, with overturned trucks, crushed cars, and buildings missing their sheet metal roofs. The tornado struck during an afternoon thunderstorm, bringing hail and knocking out power in the area. Authorities reported that 141 factory buildings were damaged in the disaster.
Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province and a major manufacturing hub, was hit hard by the tornado. While no homes were destroyed, some suffered broken windows. The tornado also affected several villages in Guangzhou’s Baiyun district, with packing material and debris scattered throughout the area.
The disaster comes just a week after heavy rains and flooding claimed the lives of at least four people in Guangdong province. The city of Guangzhou, which recently hosted the Canton Fair, a major export and import exhibition, has been grappling with the aftermath of the tornado.
This latest natural disaster serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and destructive power of tornadoes in China. In September, two tornadoes in Jiangsu province claimed the lives of 10 people, highlighting the need for preparedness and resilience in the face of such events.