World

One dead as 'weak tornado' hits Dutch city

By AAP Newswire

Jun 28, 2022

Damaged buildings in Zierikzee — Roofs were torn off houses in the Netherlands as a waterspout was observed in the country's south. -EPA

One person has been killed and about 10 others injured as a "weak tornado" ripped through a fishing town in the southern Netherlands, tearing the roofs off at least four houses and sending café furniture flying through the streets.

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Video posted on social media showed a waterspout close to the town.

"There is, sadly, one fatality to mourn as a result of the whirlwind," Veilig Zeeland, the organisation that co-ordinates emergency response in the region, said in a statement.

"In addition, the first assessment is around 10 injured."

Dutch weather website Weerplaza described the storm as a "weak tornado," a combination of a tornado and a waterspout, and said such events happen a few times each year in the Netherlands.

The organisation urged people to stay out of the area as the clean-up got underway in the town with 10,000 residents about 140km southwest of Amsterdam.

"In addition to roof tiles flying around and knocked-down trees, the roofs have been blown off four homes," the organisation said.

A storm front crossed the Netherlands from south to north on Monday, dumping heavy rain on parts of the country.