ALBAWABA- At least 11 people were killed and more than 600 others injured after a powerful tornado swept through parts of Hubei Province in central China on Wednesday, according to local authorities.
The tornado caused extensive damage across several communities, destroying homes, overturning vehicles, and disrupting electricity and communication networks. Emergency response teams were dispatched to the affected areas to search for survivors, assist the injured, and begin clearing debris.
Chinese state media reported that rescue workers are continuing round-the-clock operations, while hospitals across the province are treating hundreds of injured residents, several of whom remain in critical condition.
Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams continue to inspect collapsed buildings and damaged infrastructure. Provincial officials said recovery efforts are underway, with financial assistance and reconstruction support being prepared for affected families.
Meteorological authorities have launched an investigation into the tornado's formation and have not yet released details on its exact path or intensity under the Enhanced Fujita scale.
Hubei Province, located in the Yangtze River basin, periodically experiences severe thunderstorms and tornadoes during the summer months. Officials described the latest disaster as one of the deadliest tornadoes to strike the province in recent years.
The tornado comes amid an active severe weather season across China, where several regions have been affected by heavy rainfall, flooding, and powerful storms in recent weeks. Chinese authorities have repeatedly urged local governments to strengthen early warning systems and disaster preparedness measures to reduce the impact of extreme weather.
