Rare, deadly tornado kills at least five in Czech Republic

Prague, Jun 25 (EFE).- A tornado that hit several villages in southeast Czech Republic has killed at least five and injured over 200, rescue teams on the ground said Friday.

Strong winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour swept through the towns of Hrusky, Mikulcice, Moravská Nová Ves and Luzice on Thursday night.

The wind and hail balls the size of golf balls uprooted trees, overturned vehicles and blew roofs off buildings.

“It didn’t even last ten minutes and it looked like death. I had to live through this at the end of my life,” an 86-year-old woman in Moravska Nova Ves, one of the most affected towns, told local media.

Firefighters said they don’t expect to find any more victims under the rubble and debris caused by the storm, but that the search would continue until Friday evening.

The Czech government has promised to grant 2,000 euros to the most affected families as local authorities are working to provide victims with temporary shelters.

Some 100 firefighting units with heavy vehicles and dogs are operating in the region, and units from Slovakia and Austria have come to aid in the operation.EFE

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