Update: 12 Dead, Hundreds Injured as Tornadoes Hit Central, Eastern China

Twelve people died and hundreds more were injured as tornadoes swept through two Chinese cities on Friday night, according to Chinese media reports.

Serious damage occurred in the central city of Wuhan, where high winds caused the deaths of eight people and wounded 280, the local government said during a press conference Saturday.

Separately, gusts in the eastern city of Suzhou killed four people and injured 149, according to national broadcaster CCTV.

Tornadoes are relatively rare in China, but sometimes occur in the early summer as annual weather patterns known as the “plum rains” trigger storms in southern and central regions.

In Wuhan, winds collapsed 85 homes, damaged a further 400, and brought down two large construction cranes, Changjiang Daily reported.

Rescue workers and local officials have arrived on the scene, and temporary shelters covering some 8,000 square meters have been set up, the newspaper added.

In Suzhou, rescue work finished at 5 a.m. Saturday morning. Of the four people who died, one was killed at the scene, two died in hospital after sustaining severe injuries, and one who had initially gone missing died in hospital after being found, CCTV said.

Some 19 people in the eastern city had “light” injuries and 130 were “very lightly” wounded, the broadcaster said, adding that the winds damaged 84 rural homes and 17 businesses.

Contact reporter Matthew Walsh (matthewwalsh@caixin.com) and editor Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.