Intense tornado whips southern Chile, injuring 19, damaging 250 homes

SANTIAGO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Chile's President Gabriel Boric was set to travel Monday to the southern city of Puerto Varas after an unusually strong tornado whipped through the town Sunday, injuring 19 people, damaging over 250 homes, and knocking down power lines and trees.

The intense tornado surprised the 45,000 residents of the city located at the edge of Lake Llanquihue, close to numerous volcanoes.

Following the incident, Boric announced the government will take emergency measures to expedite the survey of damage to homes and property, and said "various state agencies are collaborating in the removal of debris."

Undersecretary of the Interior Victor Ramos provided the media with an assessment of the situation Monday, saying the injured were receiving treatment, and "the supply of drinking water has been restored to 100 percent and the electrical system has been 85 percent restored."

Puerto Varas residents took to social media Sunday afternoon to report "hurricane-force winds" that sounded like "an airplane taking off."

Residents also shared images of fallen trees, broken glass, damaged streets, and destroyed rooftops.

Chile's meteorological service said the unusual phenomenon registered winds of up to 180 kilometers per hour.

The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) has declared a red alert for the area to continue monitoring the meteorological event, leading local authorities to suspend school classes on Monday, in addition to providing shelters for those affected. ■