02.02.09 - 15:13 -
Debris left on Avenida Juan XXIII, just before the new bridge. / ANTONIO SALAS
It only lasted for seconds but it destroyed most of what it encountered in its path. During the rain and wind storm last night, at 9.30, a small tornado swept through Malaga city centre and the Nuevo San Andrés and Cruz de Humilladero neighbourhoods and left behind scenes of chaos. The wind was so strong that trees were pulled from their roots, cars were moved from their parking places and urban furniture flew through the air. At least a dozen people had to receive medical treatment for injuries in the city. In Estepona the tornado took the roof off a circus tent and at least five people were injured.
In Malaga the worst affected areas by yesterday's weather conditions were Nuevo San Andrés, Avenida Juan XXIII, Cruz del Humilladero, the bus station and Plaza and the heavy rainfall meant that many more areas and streets were flooded. The office set up in San Andrés has received more than 400 claims so far as a result of the storm and at least a hundred cars in the neighbourhod were damaged.
"It's shocking", the Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, told SUR. "I don't remember something like this happening in the city ever," said the mayor who last night who called together a 'crisis' group and was in continual contact with the state meteorological agency and the electricity company Endesa Sevillana - many electricity supplies were cut off.
The tornado which had affected Estepona in the afternoon arrived in Malaga in the evening. Damage caused included the metal roof being ripped off the bus station and a bowling alley in Juan XXIII lost its roof. The pieces of metal and other debris flying through the air caused extensive damage to parked vehicles and other buildings.
The tornado which had affected Estepona in the afternoon arrived in Malaga in the evening. Damage caused included the metal roof being ripped off the bus station and a bowling alley in Juan XXIII lost its roof. The pieces of metal and other debris flying through the air caused extensive damage to parked vehicles and other buildings.
