In brief
A violent tornado hit several cities in central China’s Hubei province, claiming at least 11 lives and leaving more than 300 injured, according to state media. Videos of the storm have surfaced online, showcasing the rare debris‑filled destruction in neighbouring Ezhou and Huanggang. A student from Huanggang described the sudden transition from ordinary thunder to debris flying through classrooms, lamenting the injuries sustained by classmates. The incident follows a previous tornado in 2021 and has spurred emergency rescue and relief operations, with thousands of buildings damaged. Local authorities are assessing the damage and coordinating medical aid for the affected residents.
A violent tornado struck several cities in Hubei province, claiming at least 11 lives and leaving more than 300 injured, state media reported.
Videos of the storm have been circulating online, captured from neighbouring Ezhou and Huanggang. The footage shows widespread damage and chaotic scenes as debris and glass fragments tore through the fabric of everyday life.
A student from Huanggang told BBC he thought it was “just an ordinary thunderstorm”, until he saw “things started flying through the air outside” the dormitory window. He added, “A lot of students were cut by flying glass. It wasn’t until everything had finally stopped that I realized I had just lived through a disaster.”
This event is a rare occurrence for the region, which last witnessed a tornado in 2021, according to state media.
Local authorities have launched rescue and relief operations, reporting damage to thousands of buildings and injuries to more than 300 residents. The government released emergency alerts and mobilised medical teams to treat the affected population.