Storms and Tornadoes Hit Germany, Leaving One Dead and Several Injured; Around 60 Homes Damaged

Severe weather affected several areas of Germany overnight, with powerful storms and two tornadoes causing considerable damage. Authorities reported one person dead, several injured and damage to dozens of buildings.

The German Meteorological Service (DWD) warned that even stronger bouts of severe weather were expected in the south of the country, particularly in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

The most tragic incident occurred in Walldorf, in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate. According to police, a 58-year-old woman was killed, while a 47-year-old woman was seriously injured after a tree fell on them.

The two women were walking together when the storm approached and they tried to find shelter. The force of the wind uprooted a tree, which fell onto the structure where they had taken shelter. The 58-year-old woman died at the scene, while the 47-year-old was taken to hospital.

In other parts of Rhineland-Palatinate, strong winds brought down trees and damaged the walls of homes.

The DWD also confirmed that a tornado passed through Fürstenwalde-Spree, in Brandenburg, the state surrounding Berlin. Police in Potsdam reported damage in the area, including vehicles struck by fallen trees, but no injuries.

Another tornado appeared yesterday evening in the outskirts of Wetzlar, in the central state of Hesse. The meteorological service said that its assessment of the phenomenon’s strength had not yet been completed.

The fire department said that around 60 homes had been damaged in Wetzlar.

In the neighboring town of Laubach, a fallen tree damaged a gas tank at a residential building. After the gas leak began, authorities evacuated the area within a radius of 200 meters.

Reports of similar damage also came from Thuringia and Bavaria, where several homes have become uninhabitable.