Hundreds of people were injured after the tornado ripped through the region with a 14-year-old child being listed among the six people who were killed by the freak weather event
A deadly tornado that claimed the lives of six people has left a horrific trail of destruction in its wake after it tore through Brazil with 155mph winds.
The powerful tornado ripped through the southern state of Parana killing six and injuring more than 750 others after it struck on Friday afternoon local time according to officials. The county’s Civil Defence said 90 per cent of the city had experienced damage.
Images from the city show buildings with roofs torn off, fallen trees, twisted signs and poles. The tornado also destroyed dozens of homes and led the government to declare an emergency in the affected region.
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State officials said at least one person was missing hours after the tornado struck the region, Brazilian outlet g1 reported. Of those who were killed, five were adults and one was a 14-year-old girl. Three men aged 49, 57 and 83, and two women aged 47 and 14 have been identified as victims killed in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, while a victim in Guarapuava has been identified as a 53-year-old man.
She has since been named as Julia Kwapis. Julia was at a friend’s house in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu when she was swept away by the powerful winds, according to her family. Her mother, Mari Kwapis, told local media that the family heard nothing of their daughter throughout Friday night and into Saturday morning.
Then at 6am this morning, as they desperately searched for information they were told their daughter was in hospital in the neighbouring city. She said: “Initially what we learned is that she was thrown, she was deagged. She arrived here in very critical condition”.
Her father, Roberto Kwapis, said Julia was due to receive her Catholic Confirmation today. The family had planned a barbecue to celebrate and in the last audio message sent to her father, Julia spoke of how excited she was for the special day.
The government said hundreds of people, including children and pregnant women, had been transferred medical attention at hospitals and on-site units. Of those, at least 10 needed surgery and nine remained in a serious condition.
Shop owner Roselei Dalcandon told AFP the storm had reduced her business to rubble. She added: “It destroyed everything. It destroyed the town, houses, schools. What will become of us?”
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the victims. In a statement shared on X/Twitter earlier today, he said: “I want to express my deepest condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the tornado in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu and in Guarapuava, in Paraná.
“And to offer my solidarity to all the people who were affected. A team led by Minister Gleisi Hoffmann, composed of the Ministries of Health and Regional Integration and Development, is heading to the region.
“National Civil Defense technicians specialized in humanitarian aid and reconstruction are already on their way to the cities, and professionals from the National SUS Force will provide assistance to the population and to the Paraná state government teams involved in the rescue and aid to the victims. We will continue supporting the Paraná population. And providing all the necessary assistance.”
