Shocking video footage capturing the devastation caused by a deadly tornado that claimed the life of an elderly British woman has surfaced online. The video depicts a terrifying tornado ripping through a popular holiday campsite in Algarve, Portugal, resulting in over two dozen injuries.
The 85-year-old victim was staying at the HolaCamp site near Albufeira when the unexpected weather phenomenon struck, causing chaos as debris scattered across the resort and tourists scrambled to safety. Disturbing footage of the tornado forming in the distance and wreaking havoc in the Portuguese town has circulated on social media.
Panicked holidaymakers, including numerous British tourists, fled as the powerful tornado swept through the campsite and a nearby hotel, causing destruction by overturning cars, demolishing bungalows, and sending debris flying through the air. Authorities confirmed that 28 individuals sustained injuries, with one person initially reported missing. Tragically, the missing person, later identified as the British woman, was found deceased amidst the wreckage.
Portugal’s weather agency indicated a high likelihood that the destructive blast was indeed a tornado, supported by striking images showing flattened buildings and homes reduced to rubble. Eyewitness footage captured bewildered campers surrounded by the aftermath of the storm’s destruction.
The extreme wind event struck at 10:07 am, potentially fueled by Storm Claudia, which had impacted the UK the previous day. Nineteen people suffered injuries at the Eden Hotel, with one person in critical condition, while two individuals were seriously hurt at the campsite. The British victim was discovered trapped beneath a collapsed bungalow. Among the injured were citizens from Portugal, Britain, and Spain, ranging in age from six to 86 years.
Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed solidarity with the victim’s family in the wake of the tragic storm. Albufeira mayor Rui Cristina described the scene as “truly devastating” after inspecting the hardest-hit areas, offering condolences to those affected.
Meanwhile, Storm Claudia continued to cause havoc in the UK, prompting major incidents due to severe flooding, heavy rainfall, and dramatic rescue operations as submerged cars turned roads into waterways.
