Tornado kills 4, injures more than 170 in central China

A tornado tore through a city in central China, killing at least 4 people, leaving 1 person missing and injuring more than 170 others, according to local officials.

The tornado struck Huangzhou District in Huanggang, a city in Hubei province about 50 miles east of Wuhan, as violent storms moved through the area on Monday evening.

Footage on social media showed a large dark funnel near high-rise buildings and a waterfront area, with debris being lifted into the air.

At least 4 people were killed in Huangzhou District and 1 person is missing, according to the district’s emergency management bureau. More than 170 people were taken to hospitals, including 5 in critical condition.

Local emergency officials said the tornado and severe winds damaged large numbers of homes, roads, trees and farmland. More than 260 people were evacuated or moved from damaged areas.

The Hubei provincial emergency management department said the storms hit eastern parts of the province between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., affecting Huanggang as well as Huangshi, Ezhou and Xianning.

Officials said damaging thunderstorm winds were reported in 53 towns and townships, with some areas also hit by tornadoes.

Emergency crews are searching damaged areas, and authorities are still assessing the full extent of the destruction.

Tornadoes are far less common in China than in the United States, but they do occur every year, especially during the warmer months when powerful thunderstorms develop in the country’s eastern and central provinces.