One killed, dozens injured as tornadoes strike Germany

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One killed, dozens injured as tornadoes strike Germany

At least one person was killed and dozens were injured after three tornadoes struck western Germany, the local authorities said on Saturday, as extreme weather in Europe also threatened the continent elsewhere.

One of the tornadoes left a picture of horror on Friday in Paderborn, Germany, the city's mayor, Michael Dreier, told reporters on Saturday. The strong winds and torrential rains ripped apart buildings and caused floodwaters to rise. A statement from the city s police said that 43 people were seriously injured in the storm.

An unstoppable tornado raged over Paderborn and destroyed parts of the city very badly, according to Mr. Dreier. He said trees had been snapped like matchsticks and residential buildings left unhabitable.

A 38-year-old man was killed in Wittgert, in far-western Germany, in a fall in his basement, which had flooded amid the storms. Local news media said that he had suffered an electric shock and most likely hit his head, and that he could not be revived.