In brief
A freak tornado struck central China’s Hubei province, an uncommon event for the region, killing 11 and injuring more than 300 residents. Video footage from the nearby cities of Ezhou and Huanggang showed the wind’s destructive power and flying glass that injured students. Local authorities launched rescue operations and cleared thousands of damaged structures. The last recorded tornado in the area occurred in 2021, underscoring the rarity and severity of this natural disaster.
At least 11 people lost their lives when severe thunderstorms swept through cities in central China’s Hubei province, state media reports confirmed.
Organised videos of the tornado have been circulating online, captured from neighboring cities of Ezhou and Huanggang.
A student in Huanggang, who had believed the rainstorm to be ordinary, recounted seeing "things start flying through the air outside" the dormitory hallway. After the storm subsided, he realised he’d just seen a disaster.
The tornado propelled flying glass that cut many students, an unexpected and deadly phenomenon for the region.
This marks a rare event in Hubei, which first recorded a tornado in 2021.
Local authorities report that thousands of buildings were damaged and more than 300 residents sustained injuries. Rescue and relief operations are fully underway.
The weather‑related tragedy highlights the growing impact of extreme storms on China’s urban centres.
