Shocking footage has emerged of a devastating tornado that tore through a popular holiday park in Portugal's Algarve, resulting in the death of a British pensioner and leaving a trail of destruction.
A Scene of Carnage
The violent twister struck the HolaCamp site near Albufeira without warning at 10:07 am, hurling debris across the resort and sending terrified tourists, including scores of Britons, running for safety. Panicked holidaymakers fled as the powerful tornado smashed through the campsite and the nearby Eden Hotel, flipping cars, destroying bungalows, and blasting chunks of masonry into the air.
Authorities confirmed that 28 people were injured in the freak weather event. Rescuers initially reported one person missing amidst the scenes of devastation. Hours later, they discovered the missing victim, an 85-year-old British woman, dead beneath the rubble of a collapsed bungalow. Her name has not yet been released.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
The injured included Portuguese, British, and Spanish nationals, with ages ranging from just six years old to 86. Officials reported that nineteen people were hurt at the Eden Hotel, one seriously, while two sustained serious injuries at the campsite itself.
Portugal's weather agency stated there was a "high probability" the extreme wind phenomenon was a tornado, potentially fuelled by Storm Claudia, which had battered the UK just days before. Shocking photos from the scene showed buildings flattened and homes reduced to wreckage, with stunned campers captured on film standing helplessly amongst the debris.
Official Condolences and Ongoing Storms
Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed his solidarity with the victim's family. The Mayor of Albufeira, Rui Cristina, who visited the worst-hit areas, described the scene as "truly devastating." He added, "On behalf of myself and the municipality, I offer my deepest condolences."
Meanwhile, back in Britain, Storm Claudia continued to wreak havoc, with major incidents declared due to severe flooding and torrential rain that turned roads into rivers, necessitating dramatic rescues from submerged cars.
