Hailstones the size of tennis balls smashed car windscreens and left thousands without power after a violent storm hit Paraguay's capital Asuncion and surrounding areas on Saturday.
Commuters rushed for cover as the giant hail crashed into cars and streets, with videos of the storm going viral online. One clip showed a dog narrowly avoiding being knocked unconscious after its owner took it for a walk, protecting himself with an umbrella but leaving his pet exposed. The owner only turned back for home after the dog was struck on the head by one of the hailstones.
Drivers shelter and matches suspended
Drivers were forced to shelter in petrol stations to minimise damage to their vehicles, and football matches were temporarily suspended. The storm caused widespread damage to houses and cars, with windscreens smashed, and thousands were left without electricity.
Local reports said wind gusts had reached around 60mph, and some described the hail as sounding like 'gunshots'. Afterwards, people posed for photos with the hailstones, with one person placing them against an identically-sized tennis ball to show their scale.
Storm witnesses react
One person wrote: 'What happened was unbelievable.' Another added: 'I've never seen such a violent storm.'
The freak weather occurred after climate scientists warned that this year's El Niño would be the worst in recorded history. A recent report predicted as many as 451,000 more heat-related deaths between June this year and the end of February next year.
