Netherlands: One dead and several injured by tornado in Zierikzee

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The tornado is said to have made ten to 20 houses uninhabitable

Photo: JEFFREY GROENEWEG / AFP

A tornado has killed one person in the south-west of the Netherlands.

At least seven people were injured, said the emergency services of the city of Zierikzee.

Nothing has been announced about her condition for the time being.

Meteorologists spoke of a weak tornado.

According to the authorities, he left a trail of devastation in the holiday resort on the North Sea, which is also popular with German tourists.

"Considerable" damage

At around 1 p.m. the storm raged over the city in the province of Zeeland.

The devastation can be seen in videos and photos on social networks.

Roof tiles were torn from houses and a church, trees were uprooted, trampolines twirled in the air.

According to the authorities, 10 to 20 residential buildings are said to be uninhabitable.

Auxiliary services were deployed.

"The damage is considerable in some streets of Zierikzee," said the city's emergency services.

The rescue workers called for people to stay away from the affected area so as not to hinder the police and fire brigade operations.

There is also a risk of falling roof tiles and branches.

On average, the Netherlands experiences several tornadoes per year.

According to the public broadcaster NOS, the most recent hurricane with deadly consequences was decades ago.

So it happened in 1992.

svs/dpa/AFP