A devastating tornado has claimed the life of an 85-year-old British woman at a popular holiday destination in Portugal, causing widespread destruction and multiple injuries.
Chaos in the Algarve
The extreme wind phenomenon struck the Parque de campismo de Albufeira camping site and a nearby hotel in the Algarve region, hurling debris and vehicles into the air. The British pensioner, who was camping at the site, was tragically killed.
Authorities described a scene of horror, confirming the event was "probably a tornado" connected to Storm Claudia. Initial reports indicated 21 injuries, but police later confirmed a total of 28 people were injured, including British, Portuguese, and Spanish nationals aged between six and 86.
Emergency Response and Condolences
Of the injured, 19 were at the Hotel Eden, with one person seriously hurt. Two others sustained serious injuries at the campsite where the British woman was found dead.
Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his solidarity with the victim's family. The mayor of Albufeira, Rui Cristina, visited the "truly devastating" scene and offered his deepest condolences, confirming that all municipal resources and civil protection agencies were working to support victims.
Storm Claudia's Wider Impact
While the tornado caused chaos in Portugal, Storm Claudia has also severely impacted the UK. The storm triggered widespread flooding, leading to a major incident being declared in South Wales where residents in Monmouth required rescue and evacuation.
Flooding has also affected parts of the West Midlands, and the UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold weather yellow alert for large parts of the country.
