Powerful storm kills 11 in China’s Hubei province PHOTO

At least 11 people have been killed, while one remains missing, after severe thunderstorms and gale-force winds swept through eastern Hubei Province in central China on the evening of July 6, Xinhua reports.

Local authorities said the extreme weather, caused by intense convective storm activity, affected the cities of Huangshi, Huanggang, Ezhou, and Xianning between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

In two townships, wind gusts reached level 13 on the Beaufort scale. Tornadoes were also reported in several areas.

The storm caused the collapse of 22 buildings, while another 4,855 structures sustained damage. Authorities said 331 people were affected by the severe weather.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas, with emergency teams continuing to assist residents and take measures to prevent further incidents.

By Jeyhun Aghazada