A tornado, accompanied by powerful winds and heavy rainfall, struck the southern Brazilian state of Parana, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, as reported by the state government over the weekend. The town most severely impacted was Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, where more than half of the urban area experienced roof collapses and various structural failures late Friday. The aftermath included blocked roads and damaged power lines.
The state’s civil defence agency disclosed that 437 individuals received medical treatment for injuries, while approximately 1,000 people were displaced from their homes. The neighboring city of Guarapuava also felt the impact of the disaster.
The Parana Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring System stated that the tornado’s winds clocked speeds ranging from 180 km/h to 250 km/h. Minister Gleisi Hoffmann of Institutional Relations announced plans to visit the affected area on Saturday, accompanied by acting Health Minister Adriano Massuda and other federal officials, to provide support for relief operations and rebuilding efforts.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on social media, affirming ongoing assistance to the people of Parana in their time of need.
