Devastating Tornado in Brazil Claims 6 Lives and Injures Over 700 in Catastrophic Destruction of Rio Bonito do Iguacu

Social media footage revealed numerous homes completely devastated, with roofs torn away or structures entirely collapsed.

Brazil:

A devastating tornado swept through southern Brazil, claiming at least six lives and leaving approximately 750 people injured after demolishing most of a town, according to authorities on Saturday.

The violent twister struck Rio Bonito do Iguacu, a community of 14,000 residents in Parana state, on Friday evening. The brief but catastrophic storm brought hail and fierce winds reaching speeds of 250 kilometers per hour (155 mph), tossing vehicles like playthings and demolishing buildings. Aerial photographs reveal widespread destruction across the town, with devastated structures and debris scattered everywhere.

"It destroyed everything. It destroyed the town, houses, schools. What will become of us?" lamented Roselei Dalcandon while standing beside what remained of her shop, now reduced to rubble.

The Parana state government confirmed that the tornado killed at least six individuals and injured around 750, with one person still reported missing.

Civil Defense officials reported that 90 percent of the town suffered significant damage.

Social media images displayed numerous homes with roofs completely torn away or structures entirely demolished.

Rescue teams combed through debris piles searching for survivors or recovering bodies. A temporary shelter was established in a neighboring town.

"It is a war scene," stated Fernando Schunig, head of the Parana Civil Defense agency, in comments to news outlet G1.

He indicated that the death toll might rise since the tornado struck the town center directly.

"When these events hit an urban area, the damage is major. It is very lethal," Schunig explained.

Other cities in Parana and adjacent states also experienced strong winds, storms, and hail from the severe weather system moving through the region.

Last year, southern Brazil endured severe flooding that resulted in more than 200 fatalities and displaced two million people in Rio Grande do Sul state.

The disaster ranked among the worst natural calamities in Brazil's recent history, with experts suggesting that climate change contributed to the flooding severity.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced Saturday that a team comprising ministers and disaster relief specialists was en route to the tornado-stricken town.

Weather authorities had issued alerts for dangerous storms across Parana, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul states.