Tornado Rips Through Southern Chile, Injures 19, Wrecks 250 Homes
(MENAFN) President Gabriel Boric was expected to arrive Monday in Puerto Varas, a lakeside city in southern Chile, following a rare and powerful tornado that tore through the area Sunday. The storm left 19 people injured, damaged more than 250 homes, and brought down trees and power lines.
The violent tornado stunned the city's 45,000 residents. Situated on the shores of Lake Llanquihue and surrounded by volcanoes, Puerto Varas is unaccustomed to such extreme weather.
In the wake of the disaster, Boric pledged swift government action, stating that emergency protocols were underway to assess residential and property damage. He added, "various state agencies are collaborating in the removal of debris."
On Monday, Undersecretary of the Interior Víctor Ramos briefed the press on recovery progress, noting that those hurt in the storm were receiving medical care. He reported, "the supply of drinking water has been restored to 100 percent and the electrical system has been 85 percent restored."
Shocked residents turned to social media during the storm, describing "hurricane-force winds" and comparing the noise to "an airplane taking off." Shared images showed widespread destruction—toppled trees, shattered glass, torn-up streets, and rooftops ripped away.
According to Chile’s meteorological service, the tornado packed winds reaching up to 180 kilometers per hour—an extraordinary event for the region.
In response, Senapred (the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response) issued a red alert for the affected area, enabling continued monitoring. Local authorities canceled school on Monday and opened emergency shelters for displaced families.
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