May 30 (UPI) — At least 11 people were killed Monday when hurricane winds lashed Moscow in the city’s deadliest storm in more than 100 years, officials said.
The severe thunderstorm toppled thousands of trees and damaged electrical cables in Moscow, a sprawling city of 12 million people.
“Winds gusted as high as 70 mph during the storm, which is rare for Moscow,” said meteorologist Brian Donegan of Weather.com. “Some hail was also reported along with torrential rain.”
At least five people were killed by falling trees, officials said. One person was killed by a flying fence and another died after being hit by bus stop debris torn off by high winds.
TASS news agency said at least 69 people were injured.
“My condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” Mayor Sergei Sobyanin tweeted.
In Russia’s Stavropol region, 60,000 people were evacuated due to the threat of flooding.
“The sky darkened noticeably and the winds were extremely strong with debris flying around from all directions,” Canadian tourist Frank Davis told the BBC.
