A devastating tornado tore through Guangzhou, a city in southern China, claiming the lives of five individuals and injuring 33 others, according to reports from the state news agency Xinhua. The tornado struck the Baiyun district of Guangzhou on Saturday afternoon, causing significant damage to 141 factory buildings. However, there were no reports of residential houses collapsing due to the tornado.
In response to the disaster, emergency response teams from various departments, including emergency management, weather, fire, waterworks, and health, as well as local residents, were mobilized to the affected area. Search and rescue operations were swiftly conducted, with authorities working tirelessly to assess and address the aftermath of the tornado.
This tragic event comes in the wake of severe weather conditions that have plagued southern China in recent days. Heavy rainfall over the weekend led to deadly floods, resulting in the loss of at least four lives and displacing thousands of individuals from their homes.
The region has experienced similar natural disasters in the past, including a violent tornado that struck Jiangsu province last year, claiming the lives of 10 people. The relentless storms, exacerbated by the remnants of Typhoon Haikui, triggered widespread evacuations and landslides, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather events in China's southeastern regions.
