A tornado struck Rio Bonito do Iguacu, a town of 14,000 residents in Parana state, southern Brazil, causing severe destruction.
The twister, which lasted just minutes but brought hail and winds reaching 250 km/h (155 mph), flipped cars and demolished buildings including homes and schools.
"What will become of us?” said Roselei Dalcandon, standing beside the rubble that was once her shop.
The local weather service and Parana state government confirmed the scale of the disaster and ongoing rescue efforts.
Author's summary: A brief but violent tornado ravaged Rio Bonito do Iguacu, Brazil, killing six and injuring hundreds while leveling much of the town.