A powerful tornado struck the town of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu in southern Brazil on Friday evening, leaving behind massive destruction. Officials confirmed that six people died and more than 400 were injured.

The storm lasted only a few minutes, yet it caused severe damage. Winds reached up to 250 km per hour (155 mph) and came with heavy hail, according to the local weather service. The tornado flipped cars, tore off roofs, and flattened houses. Within moments, nearly the entire town of 14,000 residents lay in ruins.

Survivors Recall Night of Horror

Residents described the town as a disaster zone. Emergency crews worked overnight to rescue trapped people and clear the debris.
“It destroyed everything — the town, houses, schools. What will become of us?” said Roselei Dalcandon, a local shop owner who lost her store in the storm.

Meanwhile, authorities set up emergency shelters for displaced families. Nearby hospitals treated hundreds of injured residents. However, power cuts and blocked roads slowed rescue operations, forcing teams to work carefully through the rubble in search of survivors.

Officials Warn Death Toll Could Rise

The Paraná state government reported that six people died and 432 others were injured. Moreover, two people remain missing, and officials fear the toll could climb.

Civil Defence officials estimated that 90 percent of the town suffered some level of destruction. Photos and videos shared online showed entire neighborhoods flattened and homes missing roofs.

“It is a war scene,” said Fernando Schunig, head of the Paraná Civil Defense agency. He explained that the tornado’s direct hit on the town’s center made it even more deadly. “When these events hit an urban area, the damage is major. It is very lethal,” he said.

Authorities Stay on High Alert

In response, Governor Ratinho Junior said on X that “security forces are on alert, mobilized and monitoring the cities affected by the severe storms.”

Furthermore, weather authorities issued storm warnings for Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. They urged residents to stay indoors and remain alert as more dangerous weather could follow in the coming days.