A tornado swept through the northwest of Los Ángeles, a city in the south of Chile, Thursday night.

It caused huge devastation, destroyed 22 homes and injured 18 people.

Governor Sergio Giacaman said that among those admitted to hospital there was a 10-year-old boy. Later, he also included a pregnant 17-year-old teenager.

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Los Ángeles mayor Esteban Krause said that the tornado affected “a number of blocks, cars, houses that were damaged” and that even some light posts fell due to the storm.

President Sebastián Piñera took to Twitter to send his thoughts to those suffering. The head of State, a conservative billionaire, said that the Government is already organizing their response.

According to neighbours, giant hailstones and strong winds surprised them before the tornado, which also caused traffic disruptions and damaged power lines.

Friday classes have been cancelled at public, voucher and private schools.

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Earthquakes, but not tornadoes

Chile is known for its earthquakes, but not particularly because of its tornadoes.

Nevertheless, according to academics, these can occur every five years.

The last one was registered on 31 May 2013 in the city of San Carlos, Ñuble region.

It was rated an F2, with winds that reached 228 kilometers per hour. It damaged 47 houses, left 232 people affected, and it injured other two.

Destruction after the San Carlos tornado. Víctor Salazar | Agencia UNO
Destruction after the San Carlos tornado. Víctor Salazar | Agencia UNO

However, in May 1934, Concepción saw the deadliest tornado recorded on Chilean soil, which killed 27 people.

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