Six-second Tornado Kills at Least 13 in Mexico
CIUDAD ACUñA, Mexico, May 26 (UPI) — A tornado killed at least 13 people, including three children, and damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes in Ciudad Acuña in Mexico’s Coahuila state.
About 200 people were injured in Monday’s storm. The tornado reached speeds of up to 186 mph. Most of the people who died were walking about on the streets of the city when it struck.
Ciudad Acuña is near the border of Del Rio, Texas.
City officials said records indicate a tornado that strong has not been seen in Ciudad Acuña for more than a century, when the city was founded. The storm system that created the tornado is the same causing flooding rains in Central Texas,, where at least three people have died and 12 have gone missing.
Mexican President Enrique Peña-Nieto visited the affected area to survey the damage and offer support.
“The president visited and supervised work in the affected community in Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila,” a tweet by the office of the presidency reads.
The tornado lasted for about six seconds, but struck during the morning as people were commuting to work. Eight temporary shelters have been set up for those left homeless by the tornado.
“My appreciation to our armed forces for immediate assistance offered to the affected population,” Peña Nieto tweeted.
