As many as five people were killed and more than 400 were injured after a strong tornado ravaged Rio Bonito do Iguacu, Parana state, in southern Brazil, local officials said on Sunday.
The rescue and civil defence services confirmed the five deaths and cautioned that the death toll could rise further as the search team looks for those missing under the massive debris. According to Brazilian weather services, winds between 180 and 250 kilometres per hour (110 to 155 mph) ripped through the town of 14,000 people.
The hurricane has left behind a trail of destruction, uprooting hundreds of trees, overturning vehicles and destroying hundreds of residential apartments. Officials on Sunday described the scene as a war zone.
Images and videos shared on social media showed widespread damage, with entire neighbourhoods flattened. Civil Defence Chief Fernando Schunig said the tornado hit the town centre directly, making it especially deadly. Governor Ratinho Junior posted on X that state security forces are on alert and helping affected communities.
The National Institute of Meteorology has issued a severe-storm warning for Paraná and neighbouring states Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
“Rescue teams were already mobilised to assist the affected families and provide them with all the needed support,” he said.
Institutional Relations Minister Gleisi Hoffmann said she is travelling to the region with acting Health Minister Adriano Massuda and other officials to coordinate relief and reconstruction operations.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sent condolences to the affected families. "We will continue to assist the people of Paraná and provide all the help needed," Lula said.
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