A deadly tornado, accompanied by powerful winds and heavy rainfall, struck the state of Parana in southern Brazil, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives, as reported by the state government over the weekend. Rio Bonito do Iguaçu bore the brunt of the devastation late on Friday, with more than half of the town’s urban area experiencing roof collapses and structural damages, according to the state’s civil defence agency. The aftermath included blocked roads and damaged power lines, causing chaos in the region.
Authorities disclosed that 437 individuals received medical treatment for injuries sustained during the calamity, while approximately 1,000 residents were forced to evacuate. The nearby city of Guarapuava also faced significant impact from the tornado.
The Parana Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring System revealed that the tornado’s winds reached speeds ranging from 180 km/h to 250 km/h, exacerbating the destruction. In a show of solidarity and support, Institutional Relations Minister Gleisi Hoffmann announced plans to visit the affected area on Saturday alongside acting Health Minister Adriano Massuda and other federal officials to aid in relief efforts and reconstruction.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the victims’ families on the social media platform X, vowing continuous assistance to the people of Parana during this challenging period.
